In a moment that will be etched in history books, Elon Musk’s 5-year-old son, X Æ A-12—affectionately known simply as X—delivered his first-ever public speech on August 7, 2025, at the United Nations Youth Climate Summit in New York City. What was intended as a symbolic appearance alongside his father turned into a global phenomenon, as the young prodigy revealed startling family secrets, called out world leaders on environmental inaction, and sparked an unprecedented youth-led movement for planetary sustainability. X’s words, delivered with the unfiltered innocence of childhood yet laced with profound insights, left the audience of diplomats, activists, and celebrities in stunned silence, followed by thunderous applause. Social media exploded, with #XSpeaks trending worldwide and amassing over 2 billion views in 24 hours. But what exactly did he say that inspired presidents, ignited protests, and mobilized millions of young people across the globe?

The event unfolded against the backdrop of escalating climate crises in 2025—record-breaking heatwaves in Europe, devastating floods in Asia, and wildfires ravaging North America. Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had been invited to speak on sustainable technology’s role in combating global warming. Known for his advocacy of renewable energy and electric vehicles, Musk has long positioned himself as a champion of the environment, emphasizing the need for humanity to transition away from fossil fuels. During his keynote, he surprised the crowd by bringing X onstage, introducing him as “the future we’re fighting for.” Dressed in a miniature SpaceX jumpsuit, X approached the podium, which had been adjusted to his height, clutching a small toy rocket.

What followed was no scripted child’s ramble. X’s speech, lasting just seven minutes, was a blend of personal anecdotes, shocking revelations, and a passionate plea for action. His voice, clear and confident beyond his years, echoed through the UN General Assembly hall. “Hi, everyone. My name is X, and I’m five years old,” he began, eliciting smiles. “My dad says the Earth is like a spaceship, and we’re all passengers. But some people are breaking the windows and throwing trash everywhere. That’s not nice.”

The audience chuckled at first, but X quickly pivoted to revelations that stunned the room. He disclosed “secrets” from family discussions, painting a vivid picture of the Musk household’s behind-the-scenes talks on humanity’s future. “Daddy tells me stories at bedtime about Mars. He says we might have to go there if we don’t fix Earth. But I don’t want to leave my friends or the trees. One time, he showed me a big map of the ocean with plastic islands bigger than cities. He said, ‘X, this is what happens when people don’t care.’ And I cried because the fish can’t breathe.”

These “shocking secrets” extended to Musk’s own ventures. X revealed details about unreleased Tesla prototypes designed for ocean cleanup, inspired by his father’s frustration with plastic pollution. “Dad has a car that can swim and pick up garbage from the sea. He calls it the ‘Aqua Bot.’ But he says governments won’t let him use it yet because of silly rules.” While Musk has publicly discussed Tesla’s sustainability efforts, such as recycling batteries and promoting solar energy, X’s mention of this experimental vehicle sparked immediate speculation and calls for transparency. Environmental experts later confirmed that Tesla has been quietly developing autonomous marine drones, aligning with Musk’s broader vision of a multi-planetary species.

X didn’t stop at family lore; he turned his gaze to global leaders, inspiring a wave of admiration for his boldness. “Presidents and kings, you have big houses and fast planes, but the Earth is getting too hot. My little brother cries when it’s too warm to play outside. Why don’t you make more trees and less smoke? In school, we learn sharing is caring. Share the clean air!” He name-dropped figures like U.S. President Donald Trump—whom he had met earlier in the year during a White House visit—and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging them to “stop fighting and start planting.” Recalling his viral moment from February 2025, when he playfully told Trump to “shush his mouth” during a press conference, X quipped, “Remember, Mr. Trump? Shush the bad ideas, talk about good ones like solar panels!”

The speech’s emotional core came when X addressed climate change’s impact on children. “I have dreams where the animals talk to me. The polar bears say they’re melting, and the birds can’t find homes. That’s scary. But Dad says we can fix it with smart ideas, like cars that run on sun and wind. I want to be an astronaut, but first, I want Earth to be safe.” His words echoed the sentiments of youth-led movements like Fridays for Future, founded by Greta Thunberg, whom X referenced as “the girl who strikes for school.” Thunberg, present in the audience, later tweeted, “X is proof that no one is too young to lead. The future speaks.”

X concluded with a call to action that ignited the “X Generation” movement: “Kids everywhere, let’s make a promise. Plant a tree, pick up trash, tell your parents to drive electric cars. We can save the planet together!” He ended by holding up his toy rocket: “This is for Mars, but Earth is home. Let’s keep it blue and green.”

The immediate reaction was electric. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stood in ovation. Macron pledged €100 million to youth-led reforestation projects, while Modi announced an expansion of India’s solar initiatives, crediting X’s inspiration. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, via video link, said, “X reminds us that innocence holds the greatest wisdom. We’ll amplify youth voices in our climate policies.” Even skeptics like Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s successor praised the speech for its unifying message.

Social media amplified the impact exponentially. Within hours, children worldwide posted videos reciting X’s words, launching the #XPromise challenge—where kids pledged environmental actions like reducing plastic use or advocating for green energy. Schools in over 50 countries incorporated the speech into curricula, and youth organizations like the World’s Youth for Climate Justice reported a 300% surge in memberships. Protests erupted in major cities, with young demonstrators carrying signs reading “Listen to X: Fix Earth Now!” In Los Angeles, a flash mob of 10,000 teens planted symbolic trees, while in Nairobi, Kenyan youth organized clean-up drives inspired by X’s ocean revelations.

The movement’s rapid spread drew comparisons to Thunberg’s 2018 school strikes, but with a tech-infused twist. Tesla announced a “X Fund” for youth inventions, offering grants for sustainable projects. SpaceX partnered with UNICEF for educational programs on space and environment, emphasizing Musk’s belief that “sustainable energy is key to survival.” Critics, however, questioned the authenticity—some accused Musk of staging the speech for PR, pointing to his recent alliances with figures less committed to green policies. Yet, X’s unscripted charm, including ad-libs like “Don’t be mean to the bees!”, dispelled doubts for many.

X’s revelations also shed light on Musk’s personal environmental ethos. Despite controversies, such as his 2024 comments downplaying immediate climate urgency, Musk has driven Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. The company hit a milestone in 2025 with over 5 million electric vehicles sold, reducing global CO2 emissions by billions of tons. X’s speech humanized this, showing how family conversations fuel innovation. “My son sees the world with fresh eyes,” Musk posted on X (the platform), “and he’s right—we must act now.”

The “X Generation” movement has since evolved into concrete actions. In September 2025, a global youth summit in Geneva will feature X as honorary chair, with proposals for child-inclusive climate treaties. Organizations like the Sunrise Movement, which campaigns against big oil, integrated X’s message into their strategies, launching “Villainize Pollution” drives. Emerging Climate Champions awards highlighted youth-led initiatives, from solar-powered schools in Africa to anti-plastic campaigns in Asia.

What X said wasn’t just words; it was a catalyst. By revealing “secrets” of hope and urgency, he bridged generations, proving that even a 5-year-old can ignite change. As Musk tweeted post-speech, “The future isn’t waiting—it’s speaking.” In a world grappling with environmental peril, X’s voice offers a beacon: innocent, insistent, and impossible to ignore. The planet’s fate may well rest on heeding his call.