The Resolute Desk, one of the most iconic pieces of furniture in American history, has mysteriously disappeared from the Oval Office. While officials claim it is undergoing routine refinishing, the timing has raised eyebrows—especially since the swap comes just days after Elon Musk’s four-year-old son, X Æ A-12, became an internet sensation for his unexpected antics at the historic desk.
A Presidential Desk Swap Sparks Speculation
President Donald Trump recently made headlines by replacing the Resolute Desk with the lesser-known “C&O” desk, a move that has fueled widespread speculation. While Trump insists the switch is only temporary, the decision comes suspiciously soon after a viral moment involving Musk’s son.
During a high-profile visit to the White House, X Æ A-12, the son of Musk and singer Grimes, was caught on camera picking his nose and wiping it on the legendary desk. The internet wasted no time turning the moment into a meme fest, with theories running wild about what else the child may have said to the president.
Some claim the toddler muttered, “I want you to shut your mouth up,” while others insist he boldly declared, “You are not the president, you need to go away.” Regardless of what was actually said, the child’s presence at the White House became an unforgettable moment in an otherwise routine press event.
Trump’s Explanation: A Simple Refinishing or Something More?
Following the viral event, Trump took to Truth Social to clarify the desk swap:
“A President, after election, gets a choice of 1 in 7 desks. This desk, the ‘C&O,’ which is also very well known and was used by President George H.W. Bush and others, has been temporarily installed in the White House while the Resolute Desk is being lightly refinished—a very important job.”
He emphasized that the swap was purely logistical and not a reaction to Musk’s son. However, given Trump’s well-documented germaphobia, some believe he may have simply wanted the desk out of the Oval Office after its unexpected interaction with the billionaire’s child.
The Legacy of the Resolute Desk
For over a century, the Resolute Desk has symbolized American power. Originally gifted to the White House by Queen Victoria in 1880, the desk was crafted from the timbers of HMS Resolute, a British Arctic exploration ship.
Several U.S. presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Trump himself during his first term, have used the desk. The famous photo of JFK Jr. playing under the desk while his father worked remains one of the most iconic images in political history.
Meet the C&O Desk: A Temporary Replacement with Its Own History
While not as famous, the C&O Desk has a storied past. Originally built in 1920 for executives of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, the desk eventually found its way into the White House. President George H.W. Bush was the only leader to use it in the Oval Office, while Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan all placed it in the West Wing study.
Although the C&O Desk has now taken center stage, the White House insists the Resolute Desk will return soon.
Grimes Responds: A Mother’s Concern
Meanwhile, Musk’s former partner, Grimes (real name Claire Boucher), was seemingly blindsided by the event. Responding to a social media post, she expressed concern over her son’s viral moment:
“He should not be in public like this. I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I’m glad he was polite. Sigh.”
This isn’t the first time Grimes has openly criticized Musk for bringing their son into the spotlight. Earlier this year, she admitted feeling powerless over Musk’s public appearances with X Æ A-12, calling the situation a “personal tragedy.”
Just days ago, she also made headlines with a now-deleted plea to Musk on X (formerly Twitter), urging him to address an unspecified medical crisis involving one of their children:
“Plz respond about our child’s medical crisis. I’m sorry to do this publicly but it is no longer acceptable to ignore this situation. This requires immediate attention.”
Grimes and Musk share three children—X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus—though she did not reveal which child was affected.
Social Media Reacts: Did X Æ A-12 Force the Desk Swap?
Despite the official reasoning behind the switch, the internet isn’t buying it. Many are joking that X Æ A-12 may have single-handedly ended the Resolute Desk’s long tenure in the Oval Office.
Theories include:
- “Trump couldn’t stand the thought of what happened, so he sent the desk away for an emergency deep clean.”
- “That kid really left his mark on history—literally.”
- “The Resolute Desk needed ‘refinishing’ just days after a billionaire’s child wiped his nose on it? Sure, Jan.”
Even late-night comedians have jumped on the story, with some quipping that the Resolute Desk has been “exiled for health and safety reasons.”
Conclusion: A Coincidence or a Reaction?
While Trump insists the Resolute Desk will return, the sudden switch following X Æ A-12’s highly publicized visit has left many questioning the real reason behind the move. Whether it’s a case of routine maintenance or a germ-conscious president reacting to an internet-breaking moment, one thing is clear—this desk swap has become the most talked-about piece of furniture drama in White House history.
Will the Resolute Desk make a triumphant return soon, or has X Æ A-12 unwittingly changed Oval Office history forever? Only time will tell.
