--- title: "Elon Musk calls Xi Jinping a 'great leader' in China interview" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview" category: "Politics" area: "China" published: "2026-09-23T09:46:05.947Z" source_reported: "2026-09-23T08:49:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-23T09:46:05.947Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-23T09:30:23.564199+00:00" --- # Elon Musk calls Xi Jinping a 'great leader' in China interview *Tesla CEO also praised China's prosperity and the Shanghai factory team.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing and no independent outlets. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from affected parties, specific details, and mentions future events or unknowns. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Elon Musk called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "great leader" in an interview with Chinese state television CCTV. - Musk stated that China has prospered immensely under Xi Jinping's leadership. - He also praised Tesla's Shanghai factory and its team. - Musk is expected to attend a White House dinner in honour of Xi Jinping, hosted by Donald Trump. Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla, described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "great leader" during an interview with Chinese state television CCTV. Musk stated that China has prospered immensely under Xi's leadership, citing visible progress in new buildings and infrastructure. He also commented on the increased prosperity of the average Chinese citizen. Musk praised Tesla's Shanghai factory, calling it "a gem" and "beautiful," and described the team there as "incredibly talented, hardworking and trustworthy." The interview took place ahead of a planned meeting between Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Musk is expected to attend a state dinner at the White House hosted by Trump in honour of Xi. This meeting is described as the second summit this year between the leaders of the world's two largest economies. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific date of the interview with CCTV, which La Vanguardia states was on Wednesday. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific date of the interview with CCTV, which La Vanguardia states was on Wednesday. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 15% (2) - Centre: 31% (4) - Right: 54% (7) 21 of 34 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-23T09:30:23.564199+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-23T10:00:37.802Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports focused on Elon Musk's praise for Xi Jinping, with La Vanguardia and Hot News both highlighting Musk's description of Xi as a "great leader." Both outlets also reported Musk's statement that "China has prospered enormously" under Xi's leadership. La Vanguardia also included details about Tesla's Shanghai factory and its team, as well as mentioning Musk's expected attendance at a White House dinner. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports from Devdiscourse, Reuters, and The Economic Times led with Elon Musk calling Xi Jinping a "great leader" in his interview with Chinese state television. These reports also included Musk's comments on China's immense prosperity under Xi's tenure and his praise for Tesla's Shanghai factory and its team. Digi 24 also reported these points, quoting Reuters as its source. ### Right - Right-rated reports from topwar.ru, Iefimerida, Times Live, India Today, Protothema, Reformatorisch Dagblad, and Times of India all highlighted Elon Musk's praise for Xi Jinping, describing him as a "great leader." These reports also noted Musk's comments on China's prosperity under Xi and his positive remarks about Tesla's Shanghai factory. Iefimerida and Protothema specifically mentioned Musk's expected attendance at a White House dinner in Xi's honour. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 4 - unknown: 21 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [topwar.ru](https://topwar.ru/290306-vydajuschijsja-lider-ilon-mask-vysoko-ocenil-rukovodstvo-si-czinpina-v-kitae.html) — "Great Leader": Ilon Musk Praised Xi Jinping's Leadership in China - [i-cable.com](https://i-cable.com/%E8%B2%A1%E7%B6%93%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/506734/%E9%A6%AC%E6%96%AF%E5%85%8B%E7%9B%9B%E8%AE%9A%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7tesla%E5%B7%A5%E5%BB%A0%E5%8F%8A%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%9C%98%E9%9A%8A%E8%B3%AA%E7%B4%A0) — Musk Praises the Quality of Tesla's Shanghai Factory and Its Chinese Team - [dnews.gr](https://dnews.gr/eidhseis/kosmos/611982/elon-mask-o-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis) — Elon Musk: Xi Jinping Is a Great Leader - [parapolitika.gr](https://parapolitika.gr/diethni/article/1795503/to-egomio-tou-si-tzinping-eplexe-o-mask-epi-tis-proedrias-tou-i-kina-ehei-gnorisei-terastia-euimeria) — Musk Praised Xi Jinping: "Under His Presidency, China Has Experienced Tremendous Prosperity" - [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/kosmos/story/553625/stazei-meli-gia-ton-si-o-mask-prin-to-deipno-me-ton-tramp-sto-lefko-oiko-einai-megalos-igetis) — Musk Is All Praise for Xi Before Dinner with Trump at the White House - "He's a Great Leader" - [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/ta-koplimenta-toy-elon-mask-ston-kinezo-si) — "Great Leader": Elon Musk's Compliments to Chinese President Xi Just Before Dinner at the White House - iefimerida.gr - [Reporter.gr](https://reporter.gr/diethnh/diethneis-eidhseis/686251-egkomio-mask-gia-si-megalos-igetis-i-kina-exei-gnorisei-terastia-evimeria) — Musk Praises Xi: Great Leader – China Has Experienced Immense Prosperity - [OnAlert](https://onalert.gr/kosmos/o-elon-mask-ektheiase-ton-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis-i-kina-gnorizei-terastia-eyimeria-epi-proedrias-tou/821441) — Elon Musk Praised Xi Jinping: "He Is a Great Leader, China Is Experiencing Tremendous Prosperity Under His Presidency" - [Times Live](https://timeslive.co.za/motoring/2026-09-23-teslas-musk-praises-xi-as-great-leader-in-interview-with-chinese-state-tv) — Tesla’s Musk praises Xi as great leader in interview with Chinese state TV - [Unknown](https://dimokratia.gr/kosmos/748617/elon-mask-egkomia-gia-ton-si-tzinpingk-megalos-igetis-efere-terastia) — Elon Musk: Praise for Xi Jinping – "Great Leader, Brought Enormous Prosperity to China" - [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/mapamond/elon-musk-laude-la-adresa-lui-xi-jinping-intr-un-interviu-pentru-televiziunea-chineza-de-stat-lider-extraordinar-3960215) — Elon Musk, Praises Xi Jinping in an Interview for Chinese State Television: "Extraordinary Leader - [Libertatea.ro](https://libertatea.ro/stiri/elon-musk-elogios-cu-xi-jinping-inainte-de-summitul-cu-donald-trump-si-banchetul-de-la-casa-alba-812bzfn) — Elon Musk Praises Xi Jinping in an Interview with State Television in China: He Is "an Extraordinary leader." - [albeu.com](https://albeu.com/lajme/bota/elon-musk-lavderon-xi-jinping-nje-lider-i-shquar-kina-ka-njohur-lulezim-te-jashtezakonshem/1023667) — Elon Musk lavdëron Xi Jinping: Një lider i shquar, Kina ka njohur lulëzim të jashtëzakonshëm - [La Vanguardia](https://lavanguardia.com/internacional/20260923/11641903/musk-alaba-xi-jinping-encuentro-trump-gran-lider.html) — Musk Praises Xi Jinping Before Meeting Trump: “He’s a Great Leader” - [Newsit.gr](https://newsit.gr/kosmos/o-elon-mask-apotheose-ton-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis/4781054) — Elon Musk Praised Xi Jinping: "He Is a Great Leader" - [koutipandoras.gr](https://koutipandoras.gr/article/ymnoi-tou-ilon-mask-gia-ton-kinezo-proedro-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis) — Elon Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Jinping: "He's a Great Leader" | Pandora's Box - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/mapamond/elon-musk-l-a-numit-pe-xi-jinping-un-lider-extraordinar-sub-conducerea-sa-china-a-cunoscut-o-prosperitate-imensa-804253.html) — Elon Musk Called Xi Jinping an ‘Extraordinary Leader': ‘Under His Leadership, China Has Experienced Immense Prosperity' - [insider.gr](https://insider.gr/eidiseis/425826/mask-o-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis-egkomia-gia-kina-kai-tesla) — Musk: "Xi Jinping Is a Great Leader" - Praise for China and Tesla - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/elon-musk-xi-jinping-praise-tesla-ceo-shanghai-chinese-president-trump-meeting-3000852-2026-09-23) — Elon Musk praises China's Xi Jinping, calls him a great leader - [Nieuws.nl](https://nieuws.nl/economie/musk-prijst-chinese-president-xi-in-aanloop-naar-staatsbezoek-vs) — Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Ahead of US State Visit - [welingelichtekringen.nl](https://welingelichtekringen.nl/economie/musk-prijst-chinese-president-xi-in-aanloop-naar-staatsbezoek-vs) — Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Ahead of US State Visit - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2165377/elon-mask-megalos-igetis-o-si-tzinpingk-epi-tis-proedrias-toy-i-kina-echei-gnorisei-terastia-eyimeria) — Elon Musk: Xi Jinping Is a "Great Leader" - "Under His Presidency, China Has Experienced Enormous Prosperity" - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1883124/o-elon-mask-apotheonei-ton-si-tzinping-megalos-igetis-ehei-ferei-terastia-euimeria-stin-kina) — Elon Musk Idolizes Xi Jinping: "Great Leader, He Has Brought Enormous Prosperity to China" - [Documento](https://documentonews.gr/article/mask-gia-si-einai-megalos-igetis) — Mask on Xi: He Is a Great Leader - [sofokleousin.gr](https://sofokleousin.gr/epikairotita/diethni/mask-eksire-ton-kinezo-proedro-si-xaraktirizontas-ton-megalo-iget) — Musk: He Praised Chinese President Xi, Calling Him a "Great Leader" - [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/international/3980998-musk-praises-xi-as-great-leader-in-interview-with-chinese-state-television) — Musk praises Xi as great leader in interview with Chinese state television - [Reformatorisch Dagblad](https://rd.nl/a/musk-prijst-chinese-president-xi-in-aanloop-naar-staatsbezoek-vs) — Musk Praises Chinese President Xi Ahead of US State Visit - [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ilon-mask-o-si-tzinpingk-einai-megalos-igetis-ta-egkomia-gia-tin-kina-kai-tin-tesla) — Elon Musk: "Xi Jinping Is a Great Leader" – Praise for China and Tesla - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/musk-praises-xi-great-leader-interview-with-chinese-state-television-2026-09-23) — Musk praises Xi as great leader in interview with Chinese state television - [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/elon-musk-il-lauda-pe-xi-jinping-in-presa-de-stat-china-a-prosperat-enorm-2356068) — Elon Musk Praises Xi Jinping in the State Press. "China Has Prospered Enormously - HotNews.ro - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/233742_o-ilon-mask-epainei-ton-kinezo-proedro-si-os-megalo-igeti-sti-cctv) — Musk Called Xi a "Great Leader" in CCTV Interview - [rti.org.tw](https://rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=233516) — In an Exclusive Interview with CCTV Ahead of the Trump-Xi Meeting, Musk Called Xi Jinping a "Great leader." - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/elon-musk-praises-xi-jinping-as-great-leader-in-interview-with-chinese-state-television/articleshow/134426224.cms) — Elon Musk praises Xi Jinping as great leader in interview with Chinese state television - [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/elon-musk-praises-xi-jinping-as-great-leader-in-interview-with-chinese-state-television/articleshow/134426224.cms) — Elon Musk praises Xi Jinping as great leader in interview with Chinese state television ## Questions **What did Elon Musk say about Xi Jinping?** Elon Musk described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "great leader" in an interview with Chinese state television CCTV. He also stated that China has prospered immensely under Xi's leadership and praised the country's progress. **What did Musk say about Tesla in China?** Elon Musk praised Tesla's Shanghai factory, calling it "a gem" and "beautiful." He also described the team at the factory as "incredibly talented, hardworking and trustworthy." **When did this interview take place?** La Vanguardia reported that the interview with Chinese state television CCTV took place on Wednesday. Other reports do not specify the date of the interview. **What is the significance of the upcoming White House dinner?** Elon Musk is expected to attend a state dinner at the White House hosted by US President Donald Trump in honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This event marks a significant meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Elon Musk calls Xi Jinping a 'great leader' in China interview", https://mediabias.news/politics/elon-musk-calls-xi-jinping-a-great-leader-in-china-interview