Tech Titans and Sports Icon Join Trump for Dinner with Saudi Crown Prince
A high-profile gathering at the White House on Tuesday night saw Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jensen Huang, and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo among the guests at a black-tie dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The event signals a complex interplay of business, politics, and global influence.
President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were seated for the dinner in the East Room of the White House, according to reports from The Associated Press.
Musk’s Return to the White House
The dinner marked the first time Elon Musk had been at the White House since departing his role as a “special government employee” leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in May. His attendance is particularly noteworthy given his subsequent public disagreements with President Trump. A senior official stated that the billionaire’s presence is “the latest sign of a thawing of ties” between the two, especially as Musk’s earlier threat to launch a breakaway “America Party” appears to have lost momentum.
Semiconductor Leaders and Saudi Investments
The guest list extended to the upper echelons of the technology industry. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, were both present. Their attendance comes months after their respective companies finalized agreements to supply advanced semiconductors to Humain, an artificial intelligence company owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This suggests a deepening economic partnership between the U.S. tech sector and Saudi Arabia’s ambitious AI initiatives.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance Corporation, also attended, coinciding with reports that the Saudi sovereign wealth fund may contribute to his company’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Other prominent business leaders included Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies.
Ronaldo’s Presence Reflects Saudi Arabia’s Sporting Ambitions
The inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo added another layer to the event’s significance. The legendary soccer player, currently topping the list of all-time goal scorers, joined Saudi soccer club Al-Nassr in 2023 on a record €200 million ($231 million) annual deal. This move was part of Riyadh’s broader strategy to establish itself as a global sporting hub. Al-Nassr is primarily owned by PIF, with the Saudi Crown Prince serving as its chairman.
Ronaldo recently signed an extension to his contract, ensuring his continued presence with the club until 2027. He currently ranks number one on Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest Paid Athletes of 2025, projected to earn an estimated $275 million this year.
The dinner underscores Saudi Arabia’s increasing efforts to diversify its economy and enhance its global profile through strategic investments in both technology and entertainment. The presence of these influential figures suggests a willingness to engage with the Kingdom despite ongoing scrutiny regarding its human rights record.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
