On October 24, 2023, Elon Musk made a notable return to the White House, attending a black-tie dinner hosted by Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This marked Musk’s first appearance at the White House since a public fallout with Trump over policy disagreements earlier in the summer.
Trump, who is 79 years old, welcomed Musk, patting him on the stomach as he entered the East Room, where the dinner took place. Musk, now 54, was seated among other prominent figures, including tech leaders such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, as well as sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
Context of Musk’s Return
This dinner was particularly significant as it was the first visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that drew international condemnation and allegations against the Saudi royal. Despite the controversy surrounding the Crown Prince, Trump appeared unfazed, focusing instead on the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Throughout the evening, Musk showed a positive demeanor, nodding and clapping in response to Trump’s remarks. Musk’s relationship with the Trump administration has been complex and marked by both collaboration and conflict. He previously served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency but left after just 120 days amid disagreements over key policies, particularly the administration’s treatment of electric vehicle tax credits.
Rekindled Ties and Ongoing Tensions
The two figures had a rocky relationship, particularly following Musk’s criticisms of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk claimed would undermine incentives for electric vehicles. Tensions escalated to the point where Musk made a controversial remark linking Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein files, a claim he later expressed regret over.
Despite these disagreements, there have been signs of reconciliation. In September 2023, Musk and Trump were seen together at a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At that time, Trump tempered his criticism of Musk, stating on The Scott Jennings Show, “He’s got 80 percent super-genius, and then 20 percent he’s got some problems. When he works out the 20 percent, he’ll be great.”
Earlier in September, Musk had received an invitation to a tech and AI summit at the White House, but he sent a representative in his place, highlighting his ongoing interest in government affairs despite the tension.
The dinner underscored the intertwining of technology and politics, with Musk’s attendance signaling a potential thaw in relations with Trump. As both figures navigate their complex relationship, the implications for future collaborations or conflicts remain to be seen.
