The manipulated truth

Upon closer examination, fact-checkers and some internet patrons discovered that the viral clips had been selectively edited and manipulated.

Here’s what happened:

1. The original footage shows Musk briefly stepping away but quickly returning to his child’s side.

2. Some videos were cropped to remove the caregiver or event staff nearby, making it appear as though the child was completely alone.

3. Speed adjustments and cuts were used to exaggerate the moment, giving a misleading impression of abandonment.

This isn’t the first time deepfakes, edited clips, and misleading content have misrepresented famous figures. But why does this happen?

To push a narrative: Some people already have strong opinions about Musk and use doctored content to support their views.

For engagement and virality: Sensational content gets more likes, shares, and comments, increasing visibility.

To generate ad revenue: Viral misinformation can lead to millions of views, benefiting content creators financially.

Meanwhile, unwitting netizens were quick to comment on the post.

One X user wrote: “How can a father just abandon his child like that?”

Another wrote: “@elonmusk insists on bringing his 4-year-old son with him everywhere to use as a PR prop/shield. And watch as he walks down these steps and totally abandons the kid, walking off without so much as glancing behind him to make sure his son made it down safely. Pure. Sociopath.”

"Definitely a candidate for Father of the Year - not," one viewer wrote.

“People are overreacting. The video is clearly edited.” Another defended the tech mogul.

“Why is the video cropped to not show what is directly behind his son, and why does the camera lift and focus on the second set of stairs and not the one his son was descending?”

Some critics used the clips to highlight Musk’s demanding lifestyle and multiple children, while supporters pointed out the dangers of believing viral content without context.

How to spot manipulated videos

With AI and editing tools becoming more advanced, it’s easier than ever to distort reality. Here’s how you can protect yourself from falling for fake viral moments:

Check the source: Is the video posted by a reliable news outlet or a random user?
Look for full footage
Watch for unnatural edits: Sudden cuts, missing background sounds, or time jumps can indicate manipulation.
Verify with fact-checkers – Websites like Snopes and AFP Fact Check.

Before hitting "share" on a viral video, pause and verify the truth might not be what it seems.

childsafety

Did Elon Musk really abandon his child? Unpacking the truth behind the viral video