Elon Musk Joins Trump, Saudi Prince At Dinner Amid Patch-Up Buzz

Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at a White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, marking their second joint public appearance since an intense and highly public falling-out earlier this year.

Musk’s presence has immediately triggered speculation of a possible thaw between the Tesla CEO and the US president, whose once-close alliance collapsed under the pressure of political disagreements, public insults, and financial threats.

A Relationship Once Built on Influence — Then Shattered

Musk was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of Trump’s election campaign last year, even playing a central role in shaping the administration’s agenda after the president appointed him to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Under Musk’s direction, the department aggressively pursued deep cuts to federal spending, staff, and long-running government programs — a move that solidified his influence within the administration.

But the political honeymoon soon ended.

Musk publicly denounced Trump’s sweeping tax-and-spending bill as “fiscally reckless,” triggering an explosive exchange. Musk’s declaration that he planned to launch a new political party further intensified the rift.

In response, Trump threatened to end billions of dollars in federal subsidies that Musk’s companies — including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink — rely on.

The feud damaged Tesla’s brand, impacted sales, and contributed to a noticeable drop in stock value, analysts say.

A Rare Reunion — and What It Might Mean

Since the fallout, Musk and Trump have rarely been seen together in public. Their last documented meeting was a brief handshake at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September — a moment analysts dismissed as ceremonial rather than strategic.

Tuesday night’s dinner, however, appears different.

Held in honour of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the event brought together an unexpected mix of global power players, including football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Musk’s decision to attend suggests a potential reset in his relationship with Trump — especially at a time when the billionaire faces political pressure, business setbacks, and growing scrutiny over his far-right public statements.

Saudi Crown Prince’s High-Stakes US Visit

For Mohammed bin Salman, the dinner was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with Washington and reshape his global image. The crown prince, seeking renewed partnerships and strategic goodwill, has re-entered the US political spotlight after years of controversy following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump has been openly supportive of MBS during this visit, doubling down on defence cooperation, investment deals, and diplomatic ties.

Why Musk’s Appearance Matters Now

The timing of Musk’s involvement is crucial.
With Tesla facing investor concerns, political turbulence, and declining public favourability, re-establishing ties with Trump — who has returned to the presidency with renewed executive influence — could be strategically beneficial.

For Trump, welcoming Musk back into his circle brings together political momentum, tech power, and business credibility at a time when US-Saudi ties are being reshaped on several fronts.

Whether the two will fully reconcile remains to be seen, but Musk’s appearance at the high-profile White House dinner marks a clear shift — one that could reshape political, business, and diplomatic dynamics in the months to come.