Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump: Chinese Social Media Cheers for Musk’s Political Rebellion
The once-tight relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump appears to have publicly unraveled — and China is watching closely. The fallout has become a viral sensation on Chinese platforms, where many users are now showing strong support for Musk’s political independence.
🇺🇸 Musk’s Bold Political Statement
This week, Musk suggested he may launch a new political entity — the “America Party” — after calling Trump’s newly passed tax and spending bill “insane.” The bill, which adds an estimated $3.3 trillion to the U.S. national debt, spurred Musk to vow to oppose any lawmaker who supported it.
His remarks ignited waves of discussion globally — but nowhere more passionately than on Chinese social media.
🌐 Weibo Reacts: #MuskWantsToBuildAnAmericaParty
Within hours, the hashtag #MuskWantsToBuildAnAmericaParty trended on Weibo, drawing over 37 million views. One user wrote, “If Musk starts a party, his tech-first mindset could bring innovation to politics.” Another posted, “Brother Musk, you've got over a billion people here backing you.”
Many users framed Musk as a visionary, tired of traditional political games — and admired his willingness to challenge Trump.
🚗 Why Musk Is So Popular in China
China has long held Elon Musk in high regard. His company, Tesla, operates its largest manufacturing facility in Shanghai, and Musk is known to have friendly ties with high-ranking officials like Premier Li Qiang.
Tesla is also the only Western EV brand to seriously compete with Chinese automakers. Musk's mother, Maye Musk, is a well-known personality in China, further cementing the family's online influence.
🤖 Tech Idols and Political Contrast
Chinese audiences have consistently shown admiration for American tech figures. Books like Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have been bestsellers in China.
Trump, on the other hand, is seen by many Chinese citizens as unpredictable — especially after launching aggressive trade policies against China during his presidency.
💬 Humor, Criticism, and Censorship Silence
Not all responses were serious. Some users joked that Musk and Trump were behaving like feuding reality stars. “Every day, Musk is live-streaming ‘How Billionaires Argue,’” one user posted. Another said, “They argue like children and expect the world to watch.”
Interestingly, China’s strict content censors have allowed this discussion to continue largely unchecked — suggesting that officials may welcome distractions that reflect poorly on U.S. leadership.
📌 Final Thought
As tensions rise between Musk and Trump, one thing is clear: Chinese internet users are watching — and many are siding with the entrepreneur they see as a symbol of modern innovation.
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