Elon Musk filmed a 360-degree video of himself during a summit ceremony in Beijing on Thursday [1].
The moment highlights the intersection of high-level diplomacy and celebrity influence, as the Tesla CEO's unconventional behavior at a formal state event quickly captured global attention.
Musk was in Beijing as part of the U.S. business delegation for a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping [1]. While the two leaders prepared for the ceremony, Musk spun around to capture a panoramic view of the surroundings [2]. The footage, which shows Musk rotating to film the scene, quickly went viral on Chinese social media platforms [1].
Reports on the exact timing of the video vary. Some accounts said the spin occurred while leaders waited for the ceremony to begin [2]. Other reports said the behavior took place during a state dinner hosted by President Xi [1].
Observers on social media said that Musk appeared to be acting like a tourist during the high-stakes diplomatic event [3]. The video captures the atmosphere of the Beijing meeting, where the U.S. delegation sought to engage with Chinese leadership on trade, and technology issues [2].
Musk, the founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, has a significant business presence in China. His inclusion in the official delegation underscores the role of private industry in managing the complex relationship between the two superpowers [3]. The rotating video has since become a focal point of online discussion regarding the decorum expected at such state functions [1].
“Musk spun around to capture a panoramic view of the surroundings”
The incident underscores the unconventional nature of Elon Musk's presence in diplomatic circles, where his personal brand often clashes with traditional state protocol. By filming a viral-style video during a summit between the world's two largest economies, Musk reinforces his role as a bridge between the corporate tech world and government leadership, while simultaneously drawing scrutiny over the professionalism of the U.S. business delegation.
