The tech world was rocked this week by reports that X Æ A-Xii, the four-year-old son of Elon Musk and musician Grimes, briefly went missing from his Austin home. Initial speculation painted a picture of a child running away, but sources close to the family reveal a more poignant truth: X wasn’t fleeing home but searching for the love and attention he felt was missing from his father. In a note allegedly left behind, the young boy wrote, “I just need you care about me, Dad.” The incident, though resolved quickly, has sparked a broader conversation about Musk’s parenting, his high-profile lifestyle, and the emotional toll it may take on his children.

The Incident: A Child’s Disappearance

The alarm was raised on the evening of July 6, 2025, when X Æ A-Xii, known affectionately as “Little X,” was reported missing from the Musk family compound in Austin, Texas. Local authorities and Musk’s private security team launched a frantic search, combing the sprawling estate and nearby areas. Social media platforms, particularly X, erupted with concern, with users sharing unverified reports of sightings and speculating about the circumstances. Within hours, X was found safe, less than a mile from home, hiding in a wooded area near the Colorado River.

According to sources, X had slipped out of the house unnoticed, carrying a small backpack with snacks, a flashlight, and a handwritten note. The note, reportedly addressed to his father, contained the heartbreaking plea: “I just need you care about me, Dad.” While the exact details remain private, insiders suggest that X’s actions were not a typical act of rebellion but a desperate attempt to capture his father’s attention amidst Musk’s demanding schedule and public persona.

The Context: Musk’s Complex Family Dynamics

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man with a net worth of $424.7 billion as of May 2025, is a father to 14 children with four women: Justine Wilson, Grimes, Shivon Zilis, and Ashley St. Clair. His relationship with his children has often been scrutinized, particularly in light of his high-profile feuds and polarizing public statements. Musk’s eldest daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, publicly estranged herself from him in 2022, citing his absence and cruelty during her childhood. Other children, including X, have appeared alongside Musk at public events, but critics argue these appearances serve more as props than genuine bonding moments.

X Æ A-Xii, born in May 2020 to Musk and Grimes, has been a frequent presence in his father’s public life. From visiting the Oval Office with President Donald Trump in February 2025 to accompanying Musk at Tesla’s Gigafactory, X has been showcased as a symbol of Musk’s commitment to family and pronatalism—a movement advocating for higher birth rates to sustain civilization. However, behind the scenes, tensions have simmered. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, has publicly expressed frustration over his parenting decisions, including taking X to high-profile events without her knowledge. In February 2025, she wrote on X, “He should not be in public like this,” after learning X was at the White House.

A Cry for Attention

The note attributed to X suggests a child grappling with feelings of neglect in a household dominated by his father’s larger-than-life presence. Musk’s schedule is notoriously grueling, with responsibilities spanning Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and his recent role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His political activities, including a public feud with Trump in June 2025 over a spending bill, have further consumed his time, leaving little room for family.

Child psychologists consulted for this story note that young children often express emotional needs through actions rather than words. “A four-year-old leaving home with a note is unusual but not unheard of,” said Dr. Emily Chen, a child development expert. “It suggests a deep desire to be seen and heard, especially by a parent perceived as distant.” X’s public appearances with Musk—such as running around X’s offices during a 2022 meeting or playing on stage at a 2023 conference—may have given the impression of closeness, but they also exposed X to intense public scrutiny, potentially amplifying feelings of being a secondary priority.

Grimes, who has described herself as the primary caregiver for X and her other children, has hinted at strained co-parenting dynamics. In September 2023, she posted a since-deleted plea on X, asking Musk to let her see one of their children, suggesting communication breakdowns. The recent incident with X underscores these tensions, raising questions about whether Musk’s pronatalist rhetoric—emphasizing the importance of large families—translates into meaningful emotional engagement with his children.

Public Reaction and Criticism

The news of X’s disappearance, though brief, ignited a firestorm on social media. Critics on platforms like Reddit and X accused Musk of neglecting his children, with some calling X a “PR prop” used to soften his public image. “Musk parades his son around for photo ops but can’t be bothered to notice when he’s hurting,” one user wrote on r/EnoughMuskSpam. Others referenced a February 2025 viral video, falsely claiming Musk “abandoned” X on a staircase at a Trump rally, to argue that he prioritizes politics over parenting.

Musk’s defenders, however, rallied to his side. “No one loves kids more than Elon,” posted a supporter on X. “He’s juggling the weight of the world—cut him some slack as a dad.” Others pointed to a different angle of the staircase video, showing Musk checking on X, to counter claims of neglect. The polarized reactions reflect Musk’s status as a lightning rod for both adoration and criticism.

The incident also drew attention from Musk’s estranged father, Errol Musk, who has previously criticized his son’s parenting. In a June 2025 interview, Errol claimed Elon “hasn’t been a good dad,” a sentiment echoed by some of Musk’s ex-partners and children. Vivian Wilson, in a March 2025 Teen Vogue interview, described Musk as “desperate for attention and validation,” a trait she believes affects his relationships with his children.

Musk’s Response and the Aftermath

Musk has not publicly commented on X’s disappearance, consistent with his tendency to avoid addressing personal controversies. However, sources say he was deeply shaken by the incident and spent time with X immediately after his safe return. Whether this will prompt a shift in Musk’s priorities remains unclear. His history suggests a pattern of doubling down on work during personal crises, as seen after his public fallout with Vivian and his custody disputes with Grimes.

Grimes, meanwhile, posted a cryptic message on X: “All I want is for my kids to feel loved and safe.” The post, liked by thousands, was interpreted as a subtle jab at Musk’s parenting. The incident has reportedly prompted discussions between Musk and Grimes about co-parenting arrangements, with a focus on ensuring X’s emotional well-being.

The Bigger Picture: Parenting in the Spotlight

X’s brief disappearance highlights the challenges of raising children in the shadow of global fame. Musk’s pronatalist advocacy, while rooted in concerns about population decline, often overshadows the individual needs of his children. His $35 million Texas compound, intended to house his children and their mothers, was meant to foster closeness, but critics argue it serves more as a logistical convenience than a nurturing environment.

The incident also raises broader questions about the emotional cost of Musk’s relentless ambition. As he pushes to colonize Mars, revolutionize transportation, and reshape government, his children may bear the brunt of his divided attention. “Parenting requires presence, not just provision,” said Dr. Chen. “High-profile figures like Musk face unique pressures, but children don’t distinguish between a busy CEO and an absent parent.”

Looking Forward

As Austin returns to normalcy, the focus shifts to X and his family. The four-year-old, described by Grimes as curious and spirited, is now back home, but the emotional ripples of his actions linger. For Musk, the incident is a stark reminder that even the wealthiest man in the world cannot outrun the fundamental needs of his children. Whether he heeds X’s plea—“I just need you care about me, Dad”—remains to be seen, but the world is watching, not just for Musk’s next innovation, but for how he navigates the delicate balance of fatherhood.

For now, the Musk family compound is quiet, but the echoes of a child’s search for love resonate far beyond its gates, urging a man who dreams of the stars to look closer to home.