Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk appeared with a visible black eye during his farewell event at the White House with former President Donald Trump, prompting widespread curiosity about the injury.
Musk clarified the cause of the injury, revealing it was the result of playful interaction with his young son. "I was just horsing around with lil' X, and I said, 'go ahead punch me in the face,'" Musk explained. "And he did. Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is... I didn't really feel much at the time but I guess it bruises up," he added.
The farewell event marked Musk's departure from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position in which he was involved in efforts to cut federal government costs. Despite stepping down, Musk indicated that he would continue to serve as an advisor and friend.
During the press event, former President Trump commented that he had not noticed Musk's black eye initially but acknowledged the possibility, referencing Musk’s son saying, "X could do it, if you knew X." Musk's son, X Æ A-Xii, has frequently appeared alongside his father during his public appearances related to his government role, including moments inside the White House.
Musk appeared in casual attire, sporting a DOGE baseball cap and a T-shirt emblazoned with "The Dogefather." He also made light of his injury, joking about a recent viral video involving French President Emmanuel Macron, saying, "I've got a little shiner here," and clarified that he was "not anywhere near France" when asked about how he sustained the injury.
The event and Musk's explanation shifted attention away from recent reports alleging heavy drug use by Musk during his time campaigning with Trump in 2024. Musk's lighthearted approach during the farewell appeared to ease tensions surrounding those allegations.
