However, Elon Musk in Beijing seemed to be operating on a completely different script. Instead of model behavior at one of the most serious diplomatic events on the planet, he moved as if he had accidentally ended up not at a state reception but on a sightseeing tour. While world leaders discussed trade conflicts, Taiwan, and broader geopolitical challenges, Musk unexpectedly became an unofficial entertainment element of the entire visit.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on his first visit to China in nearly nine years, accompanied by a delegation of 17 major American business leaders. Among them were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg. The central venue was the Great Hall of the People — a grand state building near Tiananmen Square designed for the most important legislative and ceremonial events in China.

What happened inside the Great Hall?

The formal purpose of the meeting was extremely serious: Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks amid strained economic relations between the two powers, while executives of the largest American corporations lined up on the steps of the building for the official welcoming ceremony.

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But soon, footage spread on social media showing Musk slowly turning 360 degrees while holding up his phone, apparently recording a panoramic video of the hall’s lavish interior.

The video went viral faster than official government statements, and one of the most important diplomatic events of the year suddenly turned into a meme factory. While Tim Cook and Jensen Huang maintained a deliberately composed demeanor, Musk radiated the energy of someone trying to capture everything around him before security asked him to stop.

The selfie that broke the internet

The most viral moment of the trip occurred during a banquet segment with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, who approached Musk hoping to take a joint photo.

Elon completely stole the banquet

He was already posing for someone else when Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun walked up to his idol asking for a selfie

Elon instantly poses with the funniest face

does the same funny expression with Apple CEO Tim Cook too

Now Elon became the MAIN… pic.twitter.com/WqlgKTgk5b

— X Freeze (@XFreeze) May 14, 2026

Lei is known as one of the earliest owners of a Tesla Model S in China and has long admired Musk, so the meeting itself already looked like a fan encountering his idol.

But then something happened that instantly became an internet sensation.

During the selfie, Musk theatrically puffed out his cheeks, then pulled a strange expression with exaggeratedly pursed lips, creating exactly the kind of face that is perfect for becoming a meme. Reports say Lei tried to take a second shot, but Musk at that moment looked away, quietly whistled, and began scrolling on his phone.

Social media literally exploded. Users joked that Lei Jun had been “humiliated by his own hero” in front of the entire internet. Screenshots of Musk’s facial expressions spread rapidly across platforms. Additional attention was drawn to another image showing Tim Cook politely smiling into the camera while Musk looks like he is oscillating between a friendly smile and full sensory overload.

Online comments were ruthless

After the clips were published, social networks were in turmoil.

“Looks like Elon is a bit tipsy — agreed, he stole the whole show,” one user wrote.

“Just admit it already, Elon is an incredible character!” another added.

“It’s Elon… who even expected anything different?” a third commented.

But perhaps the most accurate summary of the internet’s mood came from this remark: “Elon Musk is the main character of modern American history, and what a magnificent main character he is!”

Given that Musk already has more than 2.3 million followers on the Chinese platform Weibo, the scale of the online reaction was hardly surprising.

For Musk, it’s not a new role

For those familiar with Musk’s public appearances, such viral episodes are far from unusual.

Back in 2021, while hosting Saturday Night Live, he openly spoke about his Asperger’s syndrome and jokingly asked the audience:

“Did you really think I would be a calm, normal guy?”

In light of the Beijing footage, that line now sounds almost prophetic.

Equally telling was a 2025 fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where Musk, among guests paying one million dollars per seat, balanced a fork and two spoons on the tip of his finger.

When the internet demanded an explanation, Musk responded with disarming directness: “The fork and two spoons were balanced on the tip of my finger.”

Musk has also repeatedly said that in difficult social situations he switches into a so-called “human emulation mode” — a concept that becomes especially amusing when compared with footage of him slowly spinning with his phone in one of China’s most ceremonial spaces.

In the end, the official visit — intended as a serious diplomatic mission — is largely remembered not for political negotiations, but for the eccentric behavior of a billionaire who once again proved that wherever Elon Musk goes, he inevitably turns the moment into a global internet show.