Elon Musk Returns to White House for Controversial State Dinner with Saudi Crown Prince, 5 Months After Fallout with Trump

Elon Musk attended a White House state dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

The tech magnate was among the high-profile guests at President Donald Trump’s black-tie event, held after the crown prince’s meetings with the president in Washington, D.C.

Musk, 54, was joined by fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and several top administration figures, 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.

“This room is loaded up with the biggest leaders in the world,” Trump, 79, told attendees, according to The Hill.

Musk’s appearance marked a notable return to the White House social scene just months after his stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He headed the agency from January until May 30, when Trump announced that Musk would step down at the end of his special government employee contract.

Soon after leaving the post, Musk publicly blasted the president’s signature spending proposal, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping government funding 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 remarks; however, by June, insiders were already saying that his relationship with the Trump White House had been badly damaged.

“Trump doesn’t forget,” one source said at the time. “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.”

The rift deepened the following month, when Musk announced the creation of a new political organization, the American Party, in response to Congress’ passage of Trump’s domestic policy bill. Trump fired back by calling the Tesla CEO a “train wreck” and accusing him of going “off the rails.”

Despite the public feud, the two men crossed paths again 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 in his honor. Musk and Trump briefly spoke at the event.

Shortly afterward, Trump described their exchange to reporters, saying Musk 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.