In a world where Elon Musk’s every move is scrutinized, the billionaire entrepreneur has once again captured global attention with an extraordinary and emotional act. In September 2025, Musk, disguised as a taxi driver, picked up his four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii—affectionately known as Lil X—from a Los Angeles park where he was spending time with his mother, Grimes. What began as a playful attempt to surprise his son turned into a deeply moving moment when Lil X’s innocent words left the Tesla CEO in tears. This poignant encounter, set against the backdrop of Musk’s high-profile life and ongoing custody disputes, has sparked widespread discussion about fatherhood, vulnerability, and the complexities of maintaining personal connections in the public eye.
A Disguise Born of Whimsy
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man with a net worth of $424.7 billion, is no stranger to bold gestures. From launching rockets with SpaceX to revolutionizing electric vehicles with Tesla, his life is a tapestry of audacious ventures. Yet, his latest stunt—a seemingly lighthearted decision to dress as a taxi driver—revealed a more personal side of the billionaire. According to sources, Musk hatched the plan after a conversation with his mother, Maye Musk, who suggested he find creative ways to connect with his 14 children amid his demanding schedule. Inspired by the idea of surprising Lil X, Musk donned a simple disguise: a baseball cap, sunglasses, a plain jacket, and a fake mustache, transforming himself into an unassuming driver for a day.
The setting was a bustling park in Los Angeles, where Grimes, the Canadian musician and mother of three of Musk’s children, had taken Lil X for an afternoon outing. Musk, driving a nondescript Tesla Model Y repurposed as a faux taxi, pulled up near the park where Grimes had arranged for a ride to take Lil X back to her apartment. Unbeknownst to both mother and son, the driver was none other than Musk himself. The plan was simple: surprise Lil X with a fun reveal, spend some quality time together, and perhaps share a moment of levity amid their strained family dynamics. However, what unfolded was far more emotional than Musk had anticipated.
The Encounter
As Lil X climbed into the back seat, clutching a small orange basketball—a favorite toy he’s often seen with—Musk, in character as the taxi driver, greeted him with a gruff, “Where to, kid?” Lil X, unaware of his father’s presence, responded with his characteristic enthusiasm, chatting about his day at the park and his love for rockets, a topic he’s known to adore. Witnesses at the park noted that Grimes, standing nearby, seemed unaware of the driver’s identity, waving goodbye to her son as the car pulled away. Musk later recounted on X that he had planned to reveal himself after a few minutes, expecting Lil X to burst into laughter at the surprise.
But the moment took a different turn. As they drove through Los Angeles’ sunlit streets, Lil X’s chatter turned introspective. According to Musk, his son began talking about his family, saying, “I love my daddy, but he’s always so busy saving the world. I wish he could just play with me more.” The words, delivered with the unfiltered honesty of a four-year-old, struck Musk like a thunderbolt. He later shared on X, “I had to pull over because my eyes were watering. I didn’t expect him to say that.” The billionaire, still in disguise, removed his sunglasses and mustache, revealing himself to Lil X, who gasped and shouted, “Daddy!” before dissolving into giggles. The moment, captured by a dashcam in the Tesla, showed Musk wiping tears from his eyes as he hugged his son tightly.
A Father’s Reflection
The encounter has resonated deeply with the public, offering a rare glimpse into Musk’s emotional side. Known for his relentless work ethic and polarizing public persona, Musk has often been portrayed as a distant figure in his children’s lives, a perception fueled by his ex-partners’ public statements. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk—Lil X, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus—has previously criticized him for prioritizing his companies and political ventures over family time. In a 2025 post on X, she expressed frustration over Lil X’s frequent appearances at high-profile events, such as Oval Office press conferences and Trump rallies, stating, “He should not be in public like this.” The taxi driver stunt, however, suggests Musk is grappling with these criticisms and seeking ways to connect with his son.
Musk’s decision to bring Lil X to public events, from Capitol Hill meetings to SpaceX launches, has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters see it as a sign of his devotion, with one X user commenting, “Elon’s trying to be a dad in a world that demands he be a superhero. That’s not easy.” Critics, however, argue that Musk uses his children, particularly Lil X, as props to soften his image, especially amid controversies surrounding his political involvement and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The taxi driver incident, however, feels different—a private moment that became public only because of Musk’s decision to share it on X, where he posted, “Lil X reminded me what really matters. I’m going to try harder to be there for him.”
A Complex Family Dynamic
The encounter comes at a time when Musk’s personal life is under intense scrutiny. His 14 children, born to four different women, have been a frequent topic in the media. His relationship with Grimes, which ended in 2022 after four years of on-and-off dating, remains strained due to ongoing custody disputes. Grimes has accused Musk of limiting her access to their children, while Musk has claimed she violates confidentiality agreements by speaking publicly about their family. The taxi driver stunt, while heartfelt, has sparked debate about whether it was a genuine attempt to bond with Lil X or a calculated move to counter negative perceptions of his parenting.
Musk’s other children have also made headlines. His transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, publicly disowned him in 2022, citing his absence and disapproval of her identity. His father, Errol Musk, recently claimed on a South African podcast that Musk was a neglectful father to his first son, Nevada Alexander, who died of sudden infant death syndrome in 2002, a statement Musk has not publicly addressed. These tensions highlight the challenges Musk faces in balancing his global ambitions with his role as a father. The taxi driver incident, however, suggests a desire to bridge that gap, even if imperfectly.
Public Reaction and Social Media Storm
The story of Musk’s tearful encounter with Lil X exploded across social media, particularly on X, where Musk’s posts about the incident garnered millions of views. Fans praised his vulnerability, with one user writing, “Seeing Elon cry over his son’s words shows he’s human, not just a billionaire.” Others, however, questioned the authenticity of the moment, with one skeptic posting, “Is this another PR stunt to make Elon seem relatable? He’s got 14 kids—where’s the time for all of them?” The dashcam footage, which Musk shared with the caption “A father’s lesson,” became a viral sensation, with hashtags like #ElonTheDad and #LilXSays trending for days.
Grimes, who was initially unaware of Musk’s involvement in the taxi pickup, responded cryptically on Threads, writing, “X is my heart, and I want him to have a normal childhood, not a Hollywood script.” Her statement fueled speculation that she disapproved of the stunt, though she later clarified that she appreciated Musk’s effort to connect with their son. The public’s response has been polarized, reflecting the broader divide over Musk’s persona. Supporters see the incident as a touching moment of fatherly love, while critics argue it’s another example of Musk turning his personal life into a spectacle.
The Broader Context
The taxi driver encounter underscores Musk’s unique approach to fatherhood, which blends public displays with private struggles. His frequent appearances with Lil X—at events ranging from White House meetings to New Year’s Eve parties at Mar-a-Lago—have painted him as a doting dad, but they’ve also drawn criticism from those who argue he exposes his son to undue attention. Musk’s pronatalist beliefs, which emphasize the importance of having large families to combat declining birthrates, add another layer to the narrative. He has often spoken about his children as part of his mission to “repopulate the planet,” a stance that some find inspiring and others view as eccentric.
The incident also highlights the challenges of parenting in the public eye. Musk’s wealth and influence amplify every action, turning a simple father-son moment into a global story. For Lil X, who has already made headlines for his antics at high-profile events, the taxi driver encounter adds to his growing public persona. Yet, his words to Musk—“I wish he could just play with me more”—echo a universal sentiment, reminding the world that even the children of billionaires crave simple, unfiltered connection.
A Father’s Promise
As the dust settles on this emotional encounter, Musk has vowed to make changes. In a follow-up post on X, he wrote, “Lil X’s words hit me hard. I’m rearranging my schedule to spend more time with my kids.” Whether this promise will translate into lasting change remains to be seen, given Musk’s commitments to Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and DOGE. For now, the image of a tearful Musk hugging his son in a faux taxi has humanized a figure often seen as larger than life.
The story of Elon Musk dressing as a taxi driver to surprise Lil X is more than a viral moment—it’s a window into the heart of a man navigating the complexities of fatherhood under the weight of global expectations. Lil X’s innocent wish for more time with his father has resonated with millions, reminding us that even the world’s richest man can be moved by the simple truths of a child. As Musk continues to shape the future, this encounter may mark a turning point in how he balances his ambitions with the needs of those closest to him.
