An unusual blend of modern tech mogul and ancient Chinese history has taken the internet by storm.
A viral video clip from Bilibili, China's answer to YouTube, reimagines Elon Musk as a Ming dynasty secret agent, blending martial arts, political satire, and digital artistry.
The clip was created by a user known as "Dark Tone," who used AI to alter scenes from the 2011 Chinese martial arts film “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate”.
“Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” holds a special place in Chinese cinema as the first 3D martial arts film made in mainland China.
The movie tells the story of power struggles during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), featuring a swordsman caught in a deadly feud between two secret intelligence agencies, the Eastern Depot and the Western Depot.
These agencies were real historical entities established by Ming emperors to maintain control, with roles ranging from surveillance and arrests to intelligence operations.
Eunuchs led these agencies, competing fiercely for influence with the Emperor.
The film portrays the rivalry intensifying when the leader of the Eastern Depot is mysteriously assassinated, triggering an investigation by the Western Depot’s head.
In the AI-adapted clip, the leader of the Western Depot is replaced by Musk, depicted as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This fictional role draws inspiration from Musk’s reputation as a disruptor and decision-maker, coupled with a nod to the popular cryptocurrency Dogecoin.
As the scene unfolds, Musk’s character, equipped with martial arts prowess, visits the Eastern Depot to assert his authority.
The dialogue crackles with tension as officials question his involvement.
Musk, undeterred, mocks Kamala Harris’s defeat and questions the competence of his rivals.
In a dramatic turn, an official hurls a teacup at him, only for AI Musk to shatter it with a kung fu move, asserting:
"Let me show you what DOGE is: we’ll cut the budgets the federal government can’t, and fire those it’s too afraid to fire. Trump has given us the authority to act first and report later."
The clip doesn't shy away from connecting its themes to contemporary political satire.
Musk’s fictional DOGE appointment under Donald Trump is framed as a response to the perceived inefficiencies of the federal government.
According to the storyline, the agency was designed to slash excessive regulations and reduce government waste, much to the displeasure of political opponents.
While this humorous interpretation has gained traction, it also highlights parallels between the Ming dynasty’s power struggles and modern governance, as noted by one online observer:
“The original movie was fundamentally about the same theme – government power struggles and how staff reductions often lead to chaos.”
The Chinese version of the video was swiftly removed from Bilibili due to copyright issues, but its English-language adaptation lives on across platforms like YouTube and X, where it continues to spark interest.
Musk himself has remained silent on the clip, though his social media activity regularly fuels viral moments.
Just days ago, on 24 November, he shared a photo of himself flying in an Iron Man suit, adding another layer to his growing meme persona.
The AI clip reflects not only Musk’s cultural resonance but also the timeless allure of stories involving power, rebellion, and intrigue.
As one viewer noted:
“China has such a long history and rich culture. They understand government and power dynamics better than we do.”
Currently, the video has garnered over 61,000 views on YouTube and more than 116,100 views on X, receiving praise from viewers for its impressive content.
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