Elon Musk appeared beside Donald Trump at the White House with a bruise near his eye, drawing public questions, online theories, and comments about his young son.

The 53-year-old Tesla and SpaceX CEO was attending a farewell conference in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump when a reporter noticed the mark on his face.

“I wanted to ask quickly, Mr. Musk, is your eye okay? What happened to your eye? I noticed there’s a bruise thing,” the reporter asked in a video shared by CBS News.

Musk initially deflected the question with humor. “I wasn’t anywhere near France, so…” he said. The reporter followed up, “What does that mean?” prompting Trump to glance over and comment, “I didn’t notice it actually.”

Musk explained the injury happened during playtime with his 5-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, known as “X.” “I was just horsing around with little X and I said, ‘Go ahead, punch me in the face.’ And he did,” Musk said.

Trump, surprised, asked, “That was X that did that?” Musk nodded, and Trump added, “X could do it. If you knew X, he could do it.”

Musk continued, “But I didn’t really feel much at the time. And then I guess it bruises up. But I was just horsing around with the kid basically.”

Throughout the clip, the bruise at the outer corner of Musk’s eye was clearly visible, appearing dark and slightly swollen, though not hidden or covered with makeup.

Online, reactions varied. Some questioned the story, suggesting alternative explanations. On Facebook, one user wrote, “He has been using the child as a human shield. He had it coming. That was for the American people! And especially the VETERANS.”

Another said, “He lying [sic], ain’t no 5 yr old gave him a black eye.” A third added, “I don’t believe that’s true because a child that young can’t make a mark like that—can’t cut your eye and make a bruise like that.”

Others offered more neutral or sympathetic takes. “I remember that you can get bruises from holding youngsters. They get ahold [sic] of something and bam… hit you. Or…accidently [sic] throw their head forward when you’re holding them and bam,” one user shared.

Another wrote, “Or sometimes people actually do walk or turn around into a low hanging object, or get blasted by a door swinging open, or catch the corner of a car door window frame while getting out.” One comment read, “X is a little cutie but throws a mean punch!!”

Speculation continued on Instagram, where one commenter joked, “Trump gave it to him 🙄 🤣” while another suggested, “Botox Bruise.” A third remarked, “Looks like he’s crying.”

Though brief, the moment — and the bruise — stole the spotlight and quickly spread across social media.

Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 2025.

Musk was speaking during the news conference, when a reporter took note of his curious black eye, sparking speculation about its origin.

With a purplish mark at the corner of his eye, Musk’s unexpected appearance quickly became the focus of Friday’s farewell conference.

Musk initially responded with a joke before giving a more straightforward explanation about the origin of the bruise.

When pressed about the injury, Musk casually explained that it was the result of playfully roughhousing with his five-year-old son, X Æ A-12.

Trump appeared surprised by the story and reacted with amusement.

Musk’s casual explanation did little to quell the buzz surrounding his unexpected appearance.

He went on to explain that he hadn’t noticed the bruise forming until later that day.

While speculation swirled, Musk maintained a relaxed demeanor, occasionally smiling as Trump addressed the press.

Trump, when asked by reporters, claimed he hadn’t noticed the bruise at all.

Online reactions ranged from disbelief to humor, with many users questioning whether a young child could have caused the injury.

Just days earlier, Musk, who made waves in U.S. politics as President Trump’s bold, cost-cutting ally, announced on May 28 that he was stepping down from his government role aimed at reducing federal spending.

Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave his role the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses.

The farewell event, meant to highlight Musk’s contributions to federal reform, instead fueled internet chatter about his mysterious injury.

As he said farewell to his government post, it was his bruised face, not his policies, that stole the spotlight.

Musk didn’t appear bothered by the attention, staying composed throughout the press event.

Whether caused by playtime or something else, Musk’s final appearance in the Trump administration left a mark — quite literally.