Tesla CEO and world’s richest man Elon Musk has unexpectedly become a trending figure on Chinese social media, as users flock to support him in his escalating feud with President Donald Trump over the controversial “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”
According to The Guardian, Musk’s remarks against the bill and his threat to start a new political party—should the legislation pass the Senate—sparked a wave of online enthusiasm in China. On Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, the hashtag #MuskWantsToBuildAnAmericaParty began trending, with users rallying behind the tech mogul.
“Brother Musk, you’ve got over a billion people on our side backing you,” one user commented. Another added, “When you’ve had enough, there’s no need to keep putting up with it.”
Some users took the discussion further, speculating on what a Musk-led political party might bring to the U.S. “If Elon Musk were to found a political party, his tech-driven mindset could inject fresh energy into politics. The potential for change is significant—and worth watching,” one post read.
Musk has strongly opposed Trump’s sweeping domestic bill, claiming it would raise the national debt by $5 trillion. He warned that politicians who supported the bill would face consequences, declaring, “They’ll lose their primary if it’s the last thing I do on this Earth.”
Trump responded with characteristic fire, writing on Truth Social that without U.S. subsidies, Musk would’ve “had to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Musk’s own board at Tesla has faced criticism for staying silent on his political outbursts. Tesla investor and analyst Ross Gerber noted that the board’s lack of pushback has “emboldened” Musk—especially after his endorsement of Trump during last year’s presidential race.
Despite the political turbulence, Musk continues to draw attention—not just from investors and critics, but now also from unexpected corners of the world, including a growing fanbase in China.
