Elon Musk returns to White House after feud with Trump at high-profile CEO dinner
WASHINGTON, DC: Elon Musk quietly reentered the White House orbit on Tuesday night for a high-profile dinner hosted by President Donald Trump. The billionaire Tesla CEO was spotted arriving at the White House alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking his first public appearance at the presidential residence since his explosive feud with Trump earlier this year.
The dinner brought together some of the world’s most powerful business leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and AMD CEO Lisa Su.
Elon Musk and Trump reunite as White House tensions over crypto and EV policy resurface
Trump kicked off the evening by touting the star-studded guest list. “We have the biggest business leaders in the world,” he announced as cameras captured Musk’s entrance, a moment that stood out given the pair’s heated fallout just months earlier.
The feud erupted in June when Musk stepped down from his unofficial role as head of the White House DOGE Office, a position created during Trump’s cryptocurrency regulatory overhaul. Their clash intensified as Congress raced to pass the administration’s sweeping fiscal proposal, branded as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Musk openly criticized the bill’s effect on the national debt, arguing that it tightened fiscal pressures on future markets. Trump and congressional Republicans pushed back, accusing Musk of being primarily concerned with the phase-out of electric vehicle incentives, which they claimed undermined Tesla.
Elon Musk’s softened tone fuels speculation of renewed ties with Trump
After the bill passed in July, Musk publicly floated launching a third political party, the so-called “America Party.” But the movement soon fizzled, and Musk’s rhetoric noticeably softened in recent weeks.
The two men reportedly exchanged brief words at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in September. By October, Trump told reporters he had spoken with Musk “on and off, a little bit,” adding, “I like Elon. I’ve always liked him.”
That warmer tone set the stage for Tuesday’s dinner, signaling a potential thaw in one of the world’s most high-profile political–business rivalries.
Elon Musk joins top tech leaders at high-stakes WH CEO summit
Musk’s return came during one of the administration’s most influential business gatherings of the year. Alongside the Tesla chief and the Saudi crown prince were some of the biggest names in tech: Tim Cook, Lisa Su, Jensen Huang, and executives from several top-tier corporations.
The meeting reflects how the White House is ramping up private-sector engagement ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the ongoing infrastructure rollout, and a series of upcoming international trade negotiations.
While no formal agenda was released, insiders say the event was designed to reopen channels with business leaders after a turbulent year marked by legislative battles, regulatory conflicts, and personal disputes.
Musk’s White House appearance marks a notable pivot. After months publicly criticizing Trump’s policy direction and hinting at a break from both major political parties, the billionaire now appears intent on stabilizing relations as his companies expand deeper into defense, transportation, and energy sectors, areas directly tied to federal oversight.
