Elon Musk’s mother Maye and son X get free ride back to DC with Trump on Air Force One

President Donald Trump returned from his Palm Beach, Florida Mar-a-Lago club to the White House on Sunday evening with a few unexpected extra guests.

Billionaire Elon Musk, now a special advisor to the president was spotted boarding Marine One with his mother Maye, and his son X Æ A-12.

Prior to takeoff, Musk’s mother was spotted by press through the windows engaged in an animated conversation with her son and grandson as she awaited the helicopter takeoff.

Melania Trump‘s father Viktor Knavs also traveled with the president on the trip back to the White House.

Knavs exited Marine One with President Trump after it landed at the White House, and walked in with the president together as reporters shouted unanswered questions.

Musk followed, putting his son on his shoulders and waved to the cameras as his mother walked beside him and also waved to the press.

Musk’s critics immediately complained on social media about his mother getting a ‘free ride’ on Air Force One, paid by taxpayers. 

‘This is beyond outrageous,’ complained a Democratic political strategist on X. ‘Elon Musk, his cranky mother Maye, and one of his young kids were chauffeured in Air Force One and Marine One—straight to the White House, where they’re apparently staying.’

The White House did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment.  

Elon Musk and his mother Maye departs Marine One on Sunday March 2, 2025 at the White House after a weekend in Florida with Donald Trump.

Elon Musk and his mother Maye departs Marine One

It is normal for a president to bring extra guests on Air Force One and Marine One, particularly extended family members.

President Biden routinely brought extended family members of his family on Air Force One and Marine One, including his son Hunter and his wife and family, grandchildren and spouses, and even nephews and nieces.

But Musk’s mother’s appearance on the flight appeared an extraordinary privilege for a presidential adviser.

Maye Musk commented about her visit to Mar-a-Lago on X, sharing a video of her son and Trump surprising guests at the club over the weekend.

‘It was wonderful to experience the excitement and happiness in the room,’ she wrote with heart-eyes emojis.

It’s unclear exactly why she traveled with her son to the White House, but it might coincide with the president’s address to Congress scheduled for Tuesday. 

As Musk is likely to attend the speech, he may bring his mother as a guest. 

Since the election, Maye Musk’s profile has never been so prominent as her son remains a very influential advisor to Trump.

Elon Musk’s mother Maye appeared at the Inaugural balls with his sister 

 Maye Musk was spotted riding in Marine One by photographers and speaking to Trump and her son 

Canadian-South African model Maye Musk (R) and chief designer Taoray Wang of Chinese brand Juzui

Maye Musk was born in Canada, but raised her children in South Africa. 

In 2019, she published a book titled “A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success.”

She has been spotted at several social events at Mar-a-Lago and frequently travels to China, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates for business.

Maye Musk has also made several business trips to China where she has endorsed five different Chinese brands, according to the New York Times.   

Last month, she appeared on the catwalk to promote the Chinese label Juzui’s at the New York Fashion Week show and had lunch with Ivanka Trump and Wendi Deng, the former wife of Rupert Murdoch.

She also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2022, modeling a swimsuit at the age of 74 in 2022.

Elon Musk’s sister Tosca and mother Maye Musk

Maye Musk and Elon Musk at The 2022 Met Gala

Maye Musk appeared on Fox Business in December where she spoke about her son’s relationship with Trump as well as her own experience with the president-elect’s family.

‘Trump just likes someone he can completely trust who doesn’t have any alternative motives,’ she said, referring to her son. 

She said she had also shifted to the Republican party in the 2024 election, urging other Democrats to follow her. 

‘It’s a gradual change when you are Democrat to become Republican, it’s really hard and I would encourage Democrats to take a chance and they will be happier,’ she said. 

Maye Musk said she was a big fan of the Trump family and spoke warmly of the time they had spent together. 

‘Everyone is delightful, kind, sweet, generous and interesting and soft spoken,’ she said.