Elon Musk made a rare appearance at the White House this week, attending a formal dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This marks only the second time Musk has appeared publicly with Trump since their political fallout earlier this year, signaling a possible effort to repair strained ties.
The event brought together major global figures and highlighted growing U.S.-Saudi cooperation, especially in technology, defense, and investment. Musk’s presence drew attention because of his recent feud with Trump, which included public criticism of the president’s tax and spending policies. The disagreement led to threats from Trump about cutting federal support for Musk’s companies and caused a notable dip in Tesla’s public image and market performance.
The dinner, held in the East Room of the White House, was attended by other high-profile guests such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman used the gathering to outline plans for boosting Saudi investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion. President Trump also confirmed a major defense agreement, including the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, and discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence and advanced chip technology.
Both leaders touched on key global issues, including energy prices, regional security, the Abraham Accords, and the possibility of a civilian nuclear agreement. The crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for a two-state solution and signaled readiness to pursue diplomatic engagement involving Iran.
For Musk, the appearance marks a potential step toward rebuilding his relationship with the White House. Earlier in his political involvement, he had served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency and played a role in advising on federal budget cuts. Their later clash became highly public, affecting Musk’s political plans and business interests.
The dinner suggests a reset in relations, with Musk showing openness to reconnecting at a time when major U.S.-Saudi initiatives in technology and investment are gaining momentum.
