In a moment that blended heartfelt sincerity with the surreal spectacle only Elon Musk could orchestrate, the tech billionaire found himself at a loss for words on August 14, 2025, when his five-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, affectionately known as “Lil X,” was asked to choose a potential stepmother from a group of five accomplished women. The setting was an intimate gathering at Musk’s sprawling Austin estate, where the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, in a whimsical yet poignant attempt to navigate his complex personal life, turned to his son for guidance. What Lil X said, however, was so unexpected that it left Musk—and the world—reeling, sparking a viral storm on X and revealing a tender, human side to the polarizing mogul.

A Father’s Unconventional Quest

Elon Musk’s personal life has long been a subject of fascination, marked by three marriages, 14 children, and high-profile relationships with figures like musician Grimes and actress Talulah Riley. Since his split from Grimes in 2022, Musk has been single, focusing on his empire—SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and his advisory role in the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Yet, as a self-proclaimed advocate of the pronatalist movement, which encourages large families to sustain civilization, Musk has openly expressed a desire to create a stable family environment for his children, particularly Lil X, whom he calls his “emotional support human.”

The idea for the unconventional “stepmom selection” reportedly stemmed from a lighthearted conversation between Musk and Lil X during a SpaceX launch event in July 2025. Sources close to Musk say the billionaire, aware of his demanding lifestyle, wanted to involve his son in a decision that would shape their family’s future. “Elon’s not traditional, but he’s deeply sentimental about X,” said a friend of the family, speaking anonymously. “He thought giving X a say would make it feel like a family choice, not just his.”

The five women invited to the Austin gathering were described as accomplished professionals in their own right—two scientists, a tech entrepreneur, an artist, and a philanthropist, all carefully vetted by Musk’s team for their intelligence, values, and compatibility with his vision. The event was kept private, with no media invited, but details leaked when a guest posted a cryptic X update: “Just saw something wild at Musk’s place. Lil X is the real MVP.” The post, which garnered millions of views, set off a frenzy of speculation.

The Moment That Stole Hearts

According to eyewitness accounts, the gathering was held in the lush gardens of Musk’s $35 million Tuscan-style compound, where Lil X often plays with his siblings. The women, dressed elegantly but casually, were introduced to Lil X one by one, each sharing a brief moment with the boy—some offering small gifts like books or toys, others engaging him in conversations about rockets or his favorite Tesla Cybertruck. Musk, observing from a distance, reportedly encouraged his son to “pick someone who feels like family.”

Lil X, known for his precocious charm and viral moments—like shushing the press during a February 2025 Oval Office appearance with his father and President Donald Trump—took the task seriously. Dressed in a miniature Tesla jacket, he listened attentively, his wide eyes scanning each woman. After a thoughtful pause, he tugged at Musk’s sleeve and whispered something that brought the billionaire to a standstill. Turning to the group, Lil X declared, “I don’t want a new mom. I want Claire to come back.”

The room fell silent. Claire, of course, is Claire Elise Boucher, known as Grimes, Lil X’s mother and Musk’s former partner. The boy’s words, delivered with the unfiltered honesty of a child, struck a deep chord. Musk, rarely caught off guard, was visibly shaken, his eyes glistening as he knelt to hug his son. “I didn’t see that coming,” Musk later admitted in a rare X post, accompanied by a heart emoji. “Kids say what we’re too afraid to.”

A Mother’s Absence, A Child’s Heart

Lil X’s choice was a poignant reflection of the ongoing tension between Musk and Grimes, who share three children: X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl (Y), and Techno Mechanicus (Tau). Their co-parenting relationship has been fraught, with public disputes over custody and Lil X’s frequent appearances at Musk’s high-profile events, including Tesla factory visits and White House meetings. Grimes has been vocal about her discomfort with Lil X’s public exposure, telling an X user in March 2025, “I have made it clear I do not approve of that in every conceivable way… It is a personal tragedy to me.”

Sources suggest Grimes was unaware of the Austin event, and her team declined to comment when news broke. However, a close friend of the musician revealed that Grimes was “heartbroken but not surprised” by Lil X’s words, noting that the boy often calls her “Claire” rather than “mom,” a quirk she attributes to their unique bond. The custody battle, which began in 2023 and remains sealed in Texas courts, has reportedly limited Grimes’s time with Lil X, fueling the boy’s longing for his mother.

Musk’s decision to involve Lil X in such a personal matter has sparked debate. Some see it as a genuine, if unconventional, attempt to prioritize his son’s feelings. Others, including parenting experts on X, argue it placed an unfair burden on a five-year-old. “Children shouldn’t be tasked with adult decisions,” wrote Dr. Emily Carter, a child psychologist. “Lil X’s response shows he’s grappling with his parents’ separation, not choosing a stepmom.”

A Viral Moment and a Divided Public

The story exploded on X, with #LilXSpeaks trending globally. Fans of Musk praised his willingness to let his son’s voice shine, with one user posting, “Elon trusting Lil X like that? That’s real dad energy.” Others expressed sympathy for Grimes, with comments like, “Lil X just wants his mom. This custody stuff is messy.” A viral video clip, reportedly leaked by a guest, showed Musk’s emotional reaction, further fueling the narrative of a billionaire humbled by his child’s honesty.

Critics, however, questioned Musk’s motives, pointing to his history of using public moments to shape his image. “Is this a PR stunt or a dad trying to do right?” one X user asked, echoing sentiments from Musk’s recent controversies, including a debunked rumor about impersonation scams. The timing, just weeks after Musk’s emotional encounter with Talulah Riley and Thomas Brodie-Sangster at a Tesla showroom, added to speculation that he’s seeking to soften his public persona.

A Father’s Reflection, A Family’s Future

Musk’s response to Lil X’s choice was characteristically candid. In a follow-up X post, he wrote, “X reminded me what matters most—family, not headlines. Working on being a better dad every day.” Sources say Musk has since reached out to Grimes to discuss co-parenting arrangements, though no public resolution has been confirmed. The women involved in the event, whose identities remain private, reportedly left with grace, one telling a friend, “It was never about winning. X’s heart spoke louder than anything.”

The incident has reignited discussions about Musk’s parenting philosophy. With 14 children, including twins and triplets with ex-wife Justine Wilson and twins with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, Musk has been vocal about his pronatalist beliefs, arguing that large families are vital for humanity’s survival. Yet, Lil X’s public presence—at SpaceX launches, Tesla events, and even Mar-a-Lago with Trump—has drawn criticism from Grimes and others who argue it exposes the child to undue scrutiny.

A Universal Story of Love and Loss

Lil X’s words have resonated far beyond Musk’s orbit, touching a universal chord about love, loss, and the longing for family. The image of a five-year-old choosing his mother over a new future has moved millions, with X users sharing their own stories of navigating broken families. “Kids see what we try to hide,” one user wrote. “Lil X just said what we all feel sometimes.”

For Musk, the moment was a humbling reminder of his son’s emotional depth and the complexities of his personal life. As he continues to shape the future—through Starship’s Mars missions, Tesla’s electric revolution, and DOGE’s government reforms—this encounter underscores a truth he’s rarely admitted: even visionaries can’t outrun the heart. Lil X’s choice, simple yet profound, has left an indelible mark, proving that sometimes, the smallest voices carry the loudest truths.