Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk and global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo were among the high-profile guests attending a lavish White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
Ronaldo — currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr and nearing the end of his contract — arrived moments before Trump and the crown prince took their seats. Trump highlighted Ronaldo’s presence during his remarks, revealing that his 19-year-old son, Barron, finally met his football hero.
“My son is a huge Ronaldo fan… I think he respects me a little more now after this introduction,” Trump joked.
Ronaldo wasn’t the only football figure at the star-studded event. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also attended, continuing his frequent visits to Washington ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting.
The dinner also marked a notable moment in US tech-political dynamics: Elon Musk, dressed in a tuxedo, appeared relaxed as he mingled with guests—despite the turbulent history between him and Trump. Their relationship fell apart months earlier after Musk publicly criticised Trump’s massive spending bill and referenced Trump’s name surfacing in Epstein-related files. Trump retaliated by threatening Musk with deportation.
Musk’s presence at the dinner suggests tensions may be easing, especially after his earlier role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and accompanying Trump on a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
#ElonMusk #CristianoRonaldo #DonaldTrump #SaudiArabia #WhiteHouse #MBS #WorldNews
