Elon Musk made strange faces while taking selfies with Chinese business leaders at a state banquet in Beijing on Wednesday [1].
The interaction highlights the unconventional diplomatic and corporate style Musk brings to high-level international engagements. By deviating from the rigid formality typically expected at the Great Hall of the People, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX signaled a departure from traditional corporate protocol during a critical visit to the region.
Musk, 54 [2], attended the event at the Great Hall of the People on May 13, 2026 [1]. During the gathering, several Chinese business leaders asked the billionaire for photographs. Musk said he pulled funny faces to "activate meme mode" [3].
Among those photographed with Musk was Lei Jun, the CEO of rival electric vehicle manufacturer Xiaomi [4]. The images captured a rare moment of levity between two dominant figures in the global EV market, a sector defined by intense competition and strategic tensions between the U.S. and China.
While some observers viewed the behavior as bizarre, others said it was a characteristic move for the executive [3]. The banquet served as a backdrop for networking among the global elite, yet the focus of the coverage shifted toward Musk's facial expressions rather than formal policy discussions.
Some reports suggested that Musk was in China alongside U.S. President Donald Trump for trade talks, though other major outlets did not mention the president's presence at the banquet [5]. The primary focus remained on the social interactions between Musk and the Chinese business community.
“Musk responded by pulling funny faces to "activate meme mode"”
Musk's decision to use 'meme mode' at a state banquet in China reflects his broader strategy of leveraging internet culture to maintain a distinct personal brand, even in highly formal settings. This behavior contrasts sharply with the diplomatic norms of the Great Hall of the People and underscores the complex relationship between his corporate interests in China and his public persona as a disruptor.
