Body language expert says Elon Musk looked 'bashfully embarrassed' at Trump's White House Tesla showcase

Body language expert says Elon Musk looked 'bashfully embarrassed' at Trump's White House Tesla showcase
President Donald Trump, accompanied by White House Senior Advisor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks alongside a Tesla Model Y on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Tesla CEO and DOGE lead Elon Musk may have expected a simple White House event, but President Donald Trump turned it into a full-blown Tesla spectacle.

On Tuesday, March 11, the South Lawn was transformed into an impromptu Tesla showroom, complete with a lineup of vehicles including the divisive Cybertruck to promote Tesla and push back against a wave of vandalism and arson targeting the company's vehicles. 

But while Trump was in full salesman mode, a body language expert says the tech billionaire looked visibly uneasy, reported by The Express.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sit in a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke out against calls for a boycott of Elon Musk's companies and said he would purchase a Tesla vehicle in what he calls a 'show of confidence and support' for Elon Musk. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sit in a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Elon Musk appears 'uncomfortable' as Donald Trump showers Tesla with praise

During the press conference, Donald Trump doubled down on his support for Tesla, calling it a "great American company" and promising severe penalties for anyone who vandalized its vehicles. "We’re going to classify these criminals as domestic terrorists," he declared, warning that offenders would be put "through hell."

As Trump gushed over Tesla’s "beautiful" designs, even likening the Cybertruck to "the coolest thing" he’d ever seen, Musk stood by seemingly uncomfortable.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk deliver remarks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke out against calls for a boycott of Elon Musk’s companies and said he would purchase a Tesla vehicle in what he calls a ‘show of confidence and support’ for Elon Musk. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk deliver remarks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Body language analyst Judi James dissected Musk's reactions, pointing out, "He begins with his hands in his signature 'Over-defined steeple' which seems intended to imply status, control and a love of precision thinking and detail. But this converts into a more self-effacing shrug and grin before his hands fall to the hem of his jacket in a more awkward-looking display."

She hinted that "Musk's body language here suggests some rather bashful embarrassment."



 

Adding to the drama, Musk faced backlash for bringing his four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, to the event whom he shares with his former partner, Grimes.

Social media lit up with criticism, with some arguing that a high-pressure political affair was no place for a young child. However, James dismissed those concerns, noting that Musk appeared engaged with his son throughout.

"He seems totally tuned into his son, though, placing a hand down to touch his back in a reciprocal gesture as the boy grabs his leg. He looks to be in full 'parental power' mode here, waving his arms outward as he performs a ritual of support for his sidekick," James said. 

She added, "His gestures suggest a desire to persuade and to sell his thinking as he talks directly to the press in an act of loyal-looking support." 

Hacker group claims Elon Musk's emotional breakdown led to Donald Trump's Tesla stunt

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, speaks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke out against calls for a boycott of Elon Musk's companies and said he would purchase a Tesla vehicle in what he calls a 'show of confidence and support' for Elon Musk. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, accompanied by White House Senior Advisor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

A surreal moment unfolded this week when Donald Trump theatrically declared he was "buying" a Tesla from Elon Musk, positioning the move as a stand against boycotts and the "Radical Left Lunatics."

However, according to hacker group Anonymous, the stunt may have been triggered by Musk breaking down in the Oval Office.

"In any event, I’m going to buy a brand-new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American," Trump wrote in a statement on Truth Social, a day before he showed off Tesla vehicles on White House's South Lawn. 

The hacker group tweeted on Wednesday, "So it turns out Musk was audibly sobbing at the Oval Office, which may have triggered the bizarre Tesla White House promo."



 

Though there is no hard evidence to confirm the allegation, Musk’s recent public appearances have hinted at rising stress levels.



 

In a recent interview, the tech billionaire appeared visibly emotional while discussing the challenges of running multiple companies and managing government-related business. "I’m just trying to improve efficiency, cut down on waste and fraud, and so far, we’re making progress," he said, letting out a heavy sigh.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

Share this article:  Body language expert says Elon Musk looked 'bashfully embarrassed' at Trump's White House Tesla showcase