On May 13th, 2025, Elon Musk shared a jaw-dropping video on X, showcasing his Tesla robot, Optimus, performing a complex dance move that quickly went viral, gaining over 42 million views in just under a day. What set this video apart wasn’t just the impressive demonstration of robotics; it was the dance move itself, which Musk later confirmed was reminiscent of a dance performed by none other than former President Donald Trump.
The robot, designed by Tesla, performed with fluidity and balance, despite still being tethered with safety ropes to prevent falls. Musk simply posted the video with a symbol of a dancing person, and the rest of the world reacted with awe and some skepticism.
Critics questioned whether the video was manipulated, sped up, or possibly AI-generated. However, Musk quickly shot down these doubts, asserting that the video was real and the footage untouched. Among the commenters, some noticed the similarity between Optimus' movements and a famous dance Trump performed during his presidential campaign rallies.
This observation prompted Musk to confirm that indeed, the dance was inspired by Trump’s infamous routine, sparking further intrigue and amusement from the audience. This post marked the beginning of Musk's journey to the Middle East, where he was scheduled to meet with President Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Riyadh.
During a high-profile event, Musk discussed his upcoming robot lineup and the future of self-driving cars. As Musk showcased the Optimus robot to the dignitaries, he couldn't help but add a lighthearted comment about one of his robots "dancing like Trump," a remark that seemed to resonate with the audience. Musk also expressed his excitement for the future, saying, "We’re heading toward a completely different world."
For Musk, Optimus isn't just a robot – it represents a radical shift in how humans interact with technology. He envisions humanoid robots becoming integral to everyday life, offering personalized assistance in various sectors. Optimus is designed to be the next step in artificial intelligence, capable of taking on jobs that are difficult, dangerous, or simply too repetitive for humans. In Musk’s mind, robots like Optimus could help reshape economies and labor markets, especially in fields where automation could bring efficiency to levels previously thought unattainable.
Musk has been quite vocal about his ambitions for the future of robotics. In a tweet from April 2025, he shared his excitement about how quickly Optimus was improving, adding that there would be an "army of Optimus robots" coming soon. These robots would not only be highly efficient but also capable of tasks that could potentially revolutionize industries like healthcare.
Musk even predicted that robots would soon outperform top surgeons, with the advancement of AI-powered technology pushing the boundaries of what's possible. “In the next few years, robots will surpass skilled surgeons and eventually become more competent than the best in the field,” Musk stated, hinting at the vast potential that artificial intelligence holds.
When discussing the scale of Tesla’s production plans for Optimus, Musk acknowledged the ambitious target of producing 10,000 robots in 2025. While he admitted that reaching this goal by December 2025 might be a stretch, he remained optimistic, saying, “Can we make 10,000 robots by the end of the year? Maybe not. But I think we can make thousands of them, and that’s a real achievement.”
Musk emphasized that this target was an internal milestone, showcasing Tesla’s commitment to bringing robots into the mainstream. Tesla’s production plans for Optimus are ambitious and in line with Musk’s bold vision for the future.
The company has already begun designing a production line that will enable the manufacturing of 1,000 robots per month, with plans to ramp this up to 10,000 robots per month in the future. Beyond this, Tesla is also working on the next iteration of Optimus, which will be able to produce a staggering 100,000 robots per month by the following year.
The rise of humanoid robots and their integration into society is a hotly debated topic, with many raising questions about the implications for jobs, ethics, and human interaction with machines. Musk, however, is unfazed by the concerns, and instead continues to push the boundaries of technological advancement.
Optimus, in his eyes, is the key to unlocking new possibilities and reshaping the future of work and daily life. For him, the robot is not just a tool – it is a transformative agent that could change the way humanity interacts with technology on a global scale.
One of the major challenges with Optimus, however, is the robot's design, which Musk himself has acknowledged could be seen as unconventional. While most people may think of humanoid robots as sleek, futuristic machines, Optimus has a more rugged, utilitarian appearance that sets it apart from other robots in the market.
Some critics argue that its design could be a barrier to its success, but Musk remains steadfast in his belief that functionality and utility are the most important factors when designing a robot. The comparison of Optimus' dance to Trump’s iconic moves is just the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of Musk’s ambitions for the future.
As the world watches, Optimus is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation. The robot's development and integration into society could signal a paradigm shift in how we live, work, and interact with the world around us.
In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and automation, Musk’s Optimus stands as a symbol of the potential that technology holds. Whether it’s dancing, performing tasks, or reshaping industries, Optimus represents Musk’s vision of a future where robots are an integral part of our lives. The question now is how quickly we will see this vision come to life and what impact it will have on the world at large.
While some may view the dance as a mere novelty, for Musk, it’s a symbol of what’s to come. Optimus is not just a robot – it’s a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence, and in Musk’s world, that future is coming sooner than we think.
