Elon Musk attended a White House dinner hosted by President Trump that included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and top corporate leaders. Musk thanked Trump on X for "all he has done for America and the world," and Trump later made a light-hearted joke about Musk at the US–Saudi Investment Forum. The encounter marks a cautious thaw after months of public disputes over policy, contracts and Musk's brief White House role. While interactions are friendlier, it remains unclear whether the reconciliation will be lasting.
Musk and Trump Seem to Be Reconciling — White House Dinner Signals a Thaw
Elon Musk attended a White House dinner hosted by President Trump that included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and top corporate leaders. Musk thanked Trump on X for "all he has done for America and the world," and Trump later made a light-hearted joke about Musk at the US–Saudi Investment Forum. The encounter marks a cautious thaw after months of public disputes over policy, contracts and Musk's brief White House role. While interactions are friendlier, it remains unclear whether the reconciliation will be lasting.
09:40 AM, 11/20/2025Politics
Musk and Trump Seem to Be Reconciling
Elon Musk attended a White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump that also included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and several top CEOs, marking Musk's first public White House appearance since a public falling-out in May.
After the event Musk posted photos on X showing himself with Trump, the crown prince and other business leaders, and he thanked the president for “all he has done for America and the world.” The next day, speaking at the US–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., Trump poked fun at Musk with a light-hearted jab:
"You're so lucky I'm with you, Elon. I'll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?"
Background: From Alliance to Feud and Back
The encounter represents a cautious easing of tensions after several months of public disputes. Over the past year the two men's relationship swung between partnership and conflict: Musk backed Trump's 2024 presidential bid and briefly served in a White House role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before stepping down in May. Relations soured in June after Musk criticized Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," and the men traded public barbs, including Musk's claim that Trump would not have won the election without his support and Trump's threats to reconsider government contracts held by Musk's companies.
In July Musk announced plans for a new political group called the "America Party," writing on X that it was formed "to give you back your freedom." Despite the summer's rancor, the pair have made several public reconciliatory gestures since September — including a handshake at a memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk — and Trump later told reporters he had always had a good relationship with Musk.
What This Means
For now, interactions between Musk and Trump appear cordial and performative rather than deeply reconciliatory: public thanks and gentle ribbing suggest both men are managing optics and relationships with major business figures and global leaders. Whether this signals a long-term reset or a temporary détente remains uncertain, but the recent exchanges indicate tensions have at least softened.