How a Misleading Clip of Elon Musk ‘Forgetting’ His Child Took Over the Internet

In yet another case of viral misinformation, a video that purportedly showed Elon Musk “forgetting” his child and leaving him behind has been proven to be misleading. The clip, which dominated Reddit and other social media platforms, fueled widespread criticism before being swiftly debunked. The rapid spread of the video—and the subsequent deletion of the original post—raises questions about how easily manipulated content shapes public opinion in the digital age.

The Viral Moment That Wasn’t

The video, initially posted on r/mildlyinfuriating, showed Musk walking away while his four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, appeared to stand alone on a stage. The edited version of the clip made it seem as if Musk had absentmindedly walked off, leaving the child behind, leading to a flood of negative reactions online. Within hours, the post became one of the top trending posts on Reddit, amassing millions of views and thousands of comments criticizing Musk’s parenting.

However, shortly after it went viral, moderators of the subreddit deleted the video, reportedly due to concerns over its authenticity. Longer, unedited footage surfaced, showing a very different story.

The Truth Behind the Video

In the full version of the clip, Musk is seen stepping forward momentarily before turning back for his son. At no point does he actually forget him. The misleading cut of the video omitted crucial seconds to manufacture a false narrative—one that played into existing biases and criticisms of Musk.

Musk, no stranger to controversy, has long been a polarizing figure. From his management style at Tesla and SpaceX to his unpredictable leadership of X (formerly Twitter), he remains one of the most scrutinized public figures today. But this latest viral moment serves as yet another example of how selective editing can distort reality and fuel outrage.

This isn’t the first time a misleading clip has been weaponized against a public figure, nor will it be the last. In recent years, deepfake technology, selective editing, and out-of-context clips have become increasingly common tools for manipulating public perception. Social media platforms, particularly those with short-form video content, have made it easier than ever for distorted narratives to spread like wildfire before the truth can catch up.

While this specific case was debunked within hours, the damage was already done. Millions saw the original clip, while far fewer saw the correction. The speed at which misinformation spreads far outpaces efforts to correct it, making it all the more critical for viewers to approach viral content with skepticism.

As of now, Musk has not publicly commented on the incident, a decision that may reflect his general approach to criticism—often choosing sarcasm or silence over direct engagement. Given his history with the media, he is likely aware that any attempt to address the misleading clip could further fuel the controversy.

This incident shows digital era’s biggest pitfalls. Viral misinformation is not just a celebrity problem; it affects politics, businesses, and even individuals who become unintended victims of internet outrage. As social media continues to shape public discourse, the responsibility to verify information doesn’t just fall on fact-checkers and moderators—it falls on every user who shares and engages with content online.