Elon Musk made headlines during his farewell press conference at the White House on Friday. As he prepared to conclude his role as a special government employee, he appeared with a noticeable black eye, prompting questions from reporters about how he got injured.
When asked about his injury, Musk lightened the mood with humor. He joked, “Well, it wasn’t–I wasn’t anywhere near France.” This quip referenced a recent incident involving Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, who playfully struck her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, as they arrived in Vietnam. The joke, however, went over the head of one reporter, who asked for clarification. Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick stepped in to explain the context of Musk’s remark.
Musk then revealed that the real cause of his black eye was a playful moment with his five-year-old son, X. He shared, “I was just horsing around with the little X, and I said, ‘Go ahead, punch me in the face.’ And he did.” This prompted laughter from the room, including a surprised reaction from former President Donald Trump, who exclaimed, “That was X that did that?”
Earlier in the press conference, Trump expressed his gratitude for Musk’s contributions while leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He praised Musk as one of the greatest business leaders and innovators, stating, “He stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation.” As a token of appreciation, Trump presented Musk with a gold key to the White House.
Musk thanked Trump for the recognition and emphasized that this marks just the beginning for DOGE, hinting at future initiatives and efforts. The lighthearted atmosphere of the event highlighted Musk’s unique personality and the camaraderie between him and Trump, making for an engaging send-off.