Elon Musk appeared with a visible black bruise beneath his right eye during a farewell press conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, a moment that quickly went viral and ignited a storm of speculation across social media.

During the high-profile White House event, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO made no effort to conceal the bruise, drawing immediate attention from the press and viewers alike. When questioned about the injury by a reporter, Musk responded with a cryptic smile and a puzzling remark: “Well, I wasn’t anywhere near France.”

Musk’s black eye has sparked a wave of online speculation, coming just days after reports emerged alleging his “extensive” and “regular” drug use. According to sources quoted by The New York Times, the Tesla CEO was said to be taking ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, and Adderall—medications he reportedly stored in a daily pill box containing about 20 tablets.

Social media flooded with questions

Social media quickly erupted with questions and theories about Musk’s visible injury.
“Does anyone know why Elon has a black eye?” one user asked. Another wondered, “Why is Elon Musk’s right eye black and blue??????”

Others chimed in with similar curiosity: “What’s up with Elon Musk’s blue eye?” one person posted, while another observed, “What happened to Elon? Appears he has a black eye on his right.”

One user even speculated, “Yoo, did Elon Musk get straight-up punched in the face? That’s a left-hook black eye if I’ve ever seen one. Might explain his delayed talk.”

What is the reason for his bruised eye

Musk later addressed the speculation, explaining he got the injury while “horsing around” with his five-year-old son, “Lil X.” “I said, ‘Go ahead and punch me in the face,’ and he did,” Musk recounted.

“X could do it…” former President Trump added. “I didn’t notice it, actually.”

On Musk’s last official day at the White House, Trump also extended his well wishes and remarked that Musk isn’t truly leaving and “will be back often.”