China’s social media floods support for Musk amid feud with Trump

China’s social media platforms, particularly Weibo, have erupted in support for Elon Musk after he criticised President Donald Trump’s $3.3 trillion tax-and-spending bill—calling it “insane”—and threatened to start a new political group called the “America Party.” The hashtag #MuskWantsToBuildAnAmericaParty went viral, racking up over 37 million views within hours.

Chinese netizens expressed admiration not just for Musk’s business achievements, but for what they perceive as his tech-savvy and bold political vision.

One user on Weibo wrote: “If Elon Musk were to found a political party, his tech-driven mindset could inject fresh energy into politics.”

Another chimed in: “Brother Musk, you've got over a billion people on our side backing you.” Some took a more humorous approach, mocking the feud as a “billionaires’ soap opera,” while others juxtaposed Musk’s calm with Trump’s aggressive posture.

Musk’s popularity in China is well-documented. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory is its largest production hub globally, and Musk maintains close ties with Chinese leadership—he is reportedly a friend of Premier Li Qiang.

His family, including his mother Maye, are also minor celebrity figures in China. This contrasts with views of Trump, who is widely seen as belligerent and divisive because of previous trade tensions with Beijing.

Interestingly, these discussions have remained online largely uncensored, suggesting Chinese authorities may be allowing them to unfold—even viewing them as an opportunity to underscore US political turmoil.