Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among the guests at the black-tie White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Nov. 18
Elon Musk attended a White House state dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Tesla CEO was among the high-profile guests at President Donald Trump’s black-tie event, held after the Saudi leader’s meeting with the president in Washington, D.C.
Musk, 54, was joined by Apple CEO Tim Cook, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and several senior administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance.
Addressing the room, Trump, 79, told attendees, “This room is loaded up with the biggest leaders in the world,” according to The Hill.
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Musk’s Return After Leaving the Trump Administration
Musk’s appearance at the dinner follows his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He held the role from January until May 30, when Trump announced that Musk would leave once his special government employee contract expired.
Within days of his departure, Musk publicly criticized the administration’s agenda and its sweeping “Big Beautiful Bill” spending package.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote in an X post at the time. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
Musk later softened some of his comments. However, a source familiar with the situation said in June that Musk’s relationship with the Trump White House had been permanently strained, describing the fallout as difficult to fully repair.
“Trump doesn’t forget,” the source said. “He may say something acceptable for public consumption, but after what Elon wrote on social media, and despite his apology, Trump’s relationship with Musk will never again be the same.”
Political Tensions and the American Party
The tensions escalated further the following month, when Musk announced the creation of a new political organization, the American Party, in response to Congress passing Trump’s domestic policy bill.
Trump, in turn, lashed out at Musk, calling him a “train wreck” and accusing him of having gone “off the rails.”
Despite their public feud, both men appeared at right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sept. 21.
Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, and Trump delivered a 40-minute eulogy at the service. Musk and Trump briefly spoke there.
Shortly afterward, Trump told reporters that Musk had approached him to say hello. “We had a little conversation. We had a very good relationship, but it was nice that he came over,” Trump said.
