Elon Musk’s startling hand gesture as tech billionaire’s power grows

Elon Musk’s surprise White House appearance has shown how his influence and empire are expanding, as he and Donald Trump overhaul America. See the video.

It’s the power dynamic that has had the world talking ever since Donald Trump re-entered the White House for his second term.

And Elon Musk’s surprise debut appearance in the Oval Office, with his four-year-old son X, will only further fuel speculation about his ever-growing influence within the Trump administration as he and the US President work to shake up the US.

During a somewhat unusual press conference, Mr Trump  signed an executive order with his famed giant Sharpie allowing the tech billionaire to make large-scale reductions in the federal workforce.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk makes a typically quirky debut appearance in the Oval Office with his son X. Picture: AFP

Standing beside Mr Trump, who was seated at the historic Resolute Desk, the tech billionaire defended his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its role in the Trump administration.

As he spoke, Mr Musk, who has been given enormous power by Mr Trump, made a hand gesture known by body language experts as “the steeple”.

Elon Musk’s hand gestures in the White House signal confidence and authority. Picture: AFP

This is when a person presses the tips of their fingers together to form a church steeple in a move that denotes confidence, power and authority.

Experts say the raised steeple hand gesture, which Mr Musk also displayed, can give the user a God-like aura as it mimics praying.

At one point Elon Musk held his hands in what as known as the raised steeple. Picture: AFP

Wearing a black Make America Great Again cap, Mr Musk defended the work of DOGE, saying he wants to add “commonsense controls” to government.

Thorough DOGE, Mr Musk has led an unprecedented effort to dismantle federal agencies, slashed hundreds of thousands of federal jobs and taken over payment systems that contain highly sensitive data within the Treasury Department and other agencies.

Inevitably, Mr Musk’s Mini-me son X, whose mother is singer Grimes, stole the show in the Oval Office as he appeared to attempt to imitate his father’s hand gesture, pressing his own tiny fingers together.

“This is X, and he’s a great guy — high IQ,” Mr Trump said, calling the child a “high-IQ individual.”

At one point during the typically unorthodox appearance, Mr Musk hoisted his son to his shoulders and X played with his father’s ears.

Elon Musk’s son appears to imitate his father’s hand gestures. Picture: AFP

Elon Musk carries his son X on his shoulders in the Oval Office. Picture: AFP

Like most four-year-olds, X appeared somewhat restless and leaned against the historic Resolute Desk, bringing to mind the famous image of a young John F. Kennedy Jr peeking out from the same piece of Oval Office furniture in 1962.

During his appearance, Mr Musk admitted he would make “mistakes” but said he would be tackling what he called the power of an “unelected” bureaucracy.

X leans on the Resolute desk as US President Donald Trump looks on in the Oval Office. Picture: AFP

When asked about criticism from his detractors that he was “orchestrating a hostile takeover of government”, Mr Musk responded that he was delivering the reform America voted for by electing Trump.

He also dismissed concerns about his conflicts of interest, telling reporters he is trying to be as open as possible, stating that “transparency is what builds trust” .

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have an intriguing power dynamic. Picture: AFP

It has only been a month since Mr Trump has been in office but already Mr Musk’s power and influence are increasing on all levels at a rapid pace.

And for some, his dual roles are causing concern. 

A New York Times investigation reports that Mr Musk’s business empire, which includes Tesla, Space X and social media platform X, has scored huge benefits, with government investigations into Mr Musk’s companies stalling amid Mr Trump’s firings.

Elon Musk jumps on stage at a town hall event during Donald Trump’s election campaign. Picture: AFP

Pending investigations into Mr Musk’s companies that are on hold include the  Federal Aviation Administration’s fines of Mr Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX, for safety violations, The New York Times reported.

Also on hold is a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit, which is pressing Mr Musk to pay the US government as much as $US150 million ($238 million) amid accusations he violated federal securities laws.

The National Labor Relations Board, an independent watchdog agency for workers’ rights, has 24 investigations into Mr Musk’s companies, according to The New York Times.

Since January,  three officials at that agency have been fired by Mr Trump, meaning the board’s ability to rule on cases has been halted.

There is no evidence that Mr Musk directly ordered that an investigation into one of his companies be shut down or stalled, The New York Times said, but Mr Musk’s Trump administration role is proving concerning to former White House ethics lawyers in Democratic and Republican administrations. 

Earlier, this week, Mr Trump told reporters before he attended the Super Bowl that Mr Musk was “not gaining anything” in the role, while White House officials said it was up to Mr Musk to police his own actions.

Originally published as Elon Musk’s startling hand gesture as tech billionaire’s power grows