U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday hosted a high-profile dinner at the White House in honour of visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with football star Cristiano Ronaldo and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk among the notable attendees.
The event marked Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to the United States since the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He arrived in Washington to significant fanfare, including a jet flyover.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr and is nearing the end of his contract, was seated close to the head of the table. Trump, in his remarks before the dinner, said his son Barron—described as a football enthusiast—was excited to meet the Portuguese forward.
“My son is a big fan of Ronaldo,” Trump said, joking that the meeting may have earned him more respect from his son.
Also present was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who continues to make visits ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States. Ronaldo has confirmed that the tournament will be his final World Cup appearance.
Musk, who attended the dinner in a tuxedo, was seated at a different table from Trump. His presence signalled a thaw in relations after a series of public disagreements earlier in the year. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO previously served for five months as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency before a fallout with Trump over federal spending and Musk’s comments linking the president to investigations concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump had at the time threatened Musk with deportation.
Despite earlier tensions, both men appeared cordial at the dinner.
During his address, Trump praised the Saudi crown prince as “a man of leadership,” reiterating his defence of Mohammed bin Salman regarding the Khashoggi killing.
The black-tie event brought together political figures, business leaders, and sports personalities as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
