Elon Musk's refusal to pose for a photo with Tim Cook at a state banquet in Beijing on Thursday, and his series of exaggerated facial expressions during the Trump‑China summit, have turned the Tesla boss into an unlikely meme star of the diplomatic gathering, according to footage shared online.
The event at the Great Hall of the People was staged around President Donald Trump's visit to China and his talks with President Xi Jinping, a high‑stakes moment intended to showcase dialogue on trade, technology and economic cooperation. Instead, Musk's behaviour at the formal banquet has become the most-replayed clip from the trip, overshadowing the very agenda that brought together some of the world's most powerful political and business leaders.
