Elon Musk Explains His Black Eye During Official Farewell from Trump’s Administration

Elon Musk shows up with a black eye

Says it was his son’s doing

Trump praises his time in government

Elon Musk didn’t just say goodbye to his role as a special official in the U.S. government—he did so with a noticeable bruise on his face.

On Friday, the South African-born businessman visited the White House for an official farewell with President Donald Trump after his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

What caught the attention of the media, reporters, and social networks was Musk’s visible black eye as he walked alongside the president.

The image sparked a wave of speculation: Had he been attacked? Was it an accident at Tesla or SpaceX? Was it a sign of political tension?

Elon Musk’s Response: Humor and Controversy

The explanation was far more mundane—and, according to Musk, almost comical.

“I was just playing around with little X and told him, ‘Go ahead, hit me in the face,’ and he did,” Musk said with a smile.

“Turns out even a five-year-old can pack a punch,” he added, referring to his son, X Æ A-Xii, whom he simply calls “X.”

President Trump was also surprised upon seeing his advisor’s injury in the Oval Office.

Speculation Around Elon Musk’s Bruise

Elon Musk Explains His Black Eye – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

“I hadn’t even noticed. Was it X who did that?” Trump asked. Musk laughed and confirmed: “Yes.”

The brief exchange, captured by cameras and reporters, helped quell rumors already circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.

On those platforms, some users had floated theories ranging from an altercation at SpaceX to internal tensions with other executives.

The incident occurred just one day after Musk appeared in a SpaceX promotional video—also sporting the bruise.

He didn’t offer any explanation at the time, which only fueled the speculation.

The White House visit wasn’t merely symbolic.

Related: Elon Musk: «DOGE Was the Scapegoat for the Cuts»

Elon Musk concluded 130 days as head of DOGE, during which he slashed approximately $175 billion in federal spending.

Though Trump praised his “unmatched work,” Musk expressed frustration over bureaucratic red tape and institutional limits.

He even criticized Trump’s fiscal proposal—calling it a “big, beautiful bill”—but ultimately deemed it a setback.

Musk had already been distancing himself from active politics and confirmed that his departure was to refocus on Tesla and SpaceX.

“I’ll remain a friend and advisor,” he clarified, while making it clear he won’t endorse every decision made by the Republican government.

Trump, for his part, lauded him as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever seen.”

He also called him a “special government employee” whose time in the White House left a mark.

Yet despite the compliments, political tensions had clearly started to show, marked by ideological differences and mutual criticism.

The image of Musk’s black eye will likely go down as one of his most viral—and oddly domestic—public moments.

Not for a space breakthrough or AI development, but because of a game with his young son that led to a very public bruise.

The Tycoon Says Goodbye

PHOTO: Social media / Facebook

“We were just playing. I told him he could punch me in the face, and he did,” Musk repeated to reporters with a laid-back tone.

“I didn’t feel much at the time. But the bruising came later,” he said casually.

It’s not the first time Musk’s public persona has drawn attention for reasons unrelated to technology.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he wielded a chainsaw as a metaphor for slashing government bureaucracy.

The New York Times described that event as “scattered,” noting long laughs, dark glasses, and some stammering.

None of that has been officially linked to any health conditions, and Musk’s team has not offered further clarification.

What is certain is that the latest injury triggered another round of media fascination, adding to the ever-growing visual narrative surrounding Elon Musk.

This time, a simple moment of roughhousing with his son briefly overshadowed his efforts to reach Mars or advance artificial intelligence.

In the end, the black eye was just a domestic anecdote—magnified by the ever-present spotlight that follows Musk wherever he goes.

What do you think? Was Musk being honest about his black eye—or is there more to the story?

SOURCE: El Diario / Infobae