Elon Musk attended a White House dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, marking only the second public appearance with the president since their bitter feud earlier this year.
The event highlighted efforts to rebuild ties and discuss significant U.S.-Saudi investments.
Elon Musk’s presence alongside President Trump and the Saudi crown prince could indicate a thaw in relations following months of tension. Musk, who supported Trump’s previous election and briefly advised his administration, had publicly clashed with the president over tax and spending policies earlier this year.
The Tesla CEO had criticized Trump’s fiscal agenda on social media and even announced plans for a new political party, prompting Trump to threaten cuts to federal subsidies for Musk’s companies. Analysts noted that their feud had negatively impacted Tesla’s brand image, sales, and stock performance.
High-profile dinner brings together global leaders
The White House dinner also featured Portugal’s football star Cristiano Ronaldo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, highlighting the high-profile nature of the gathering. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined plans to increase U.S. investment to $1 trillion, while Trump confirmed a new defense agreement, including F-35 aircraft purchases.
Trump emphasized ongoing work to approve advanced chip technology for Saudi Arabia and highlighted opportunities in artificial intelligence. He described the crown prince as a close friend and lauded Saudi Arabia’s commitment to investing billions in the U.S. economy.
The discussions reportedly covered a wide range of topics, including energy prices, defense agreements, the Abraham Accords, and a potential civilian nuclear agreement. The crown prince also affirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and expressed willingness to engage in Iran-related agreements.
Trump highlighted past U.S. military actions and global diplomacy efforts, including halting conflicts and reducing inflation, underscoring his administration’s role in international peace initiatives.
Background: Musk, Trump, and political feud
Musk had previously served as a close adviser, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and overseeing federal budget cuts. Their public split, fueled by Musk’s criticism of fiscal policy and far-right political statements, created a rare political spectacle with tangible impacts on Musk’s companies.
The dinner comes as both parties attempt to repair public and professional relations, with Musk’s attendance interpreted as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.
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