WASHINGTON (MNN); Tech billionaire Elon Musk and football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo were among the high-profile guests attending a formal White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump in honour of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr and is nearing the end of his contract, was seated near the head of Trump’s table moments before the president and the crown prince entered. Trump remarked that his 19-year-old son Barron was a devoted admirer of the Portuguese star and had the chance to meet him before the dinner.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present, marking yet another visit to the White House ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting. Ronaldo confirmed that next year’s World Cup will “definitely” be his last.
Also in attendance was SpaceX and Tesla chief Elon Musk, signalling that tensions between him and Trump have eased following months of public disagreements—ranging from spending policies to remarks about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Musk, wearing a tuxedo, was seen conversing with guests at a separate table.
During the crown prince’s visit, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed major agreements covering civil nuclear cooperation and the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets. The White House described the nuclear deal as a “multi-billion-dollar partnership” built on strict non-proliferation principles. Trump also approved a significant defence package that includes future deliveries of F-35 jets, marking a notable policy shift and the first such sale to the kingdom.
On Wednesday, lawmakers were set to meet with MBS at the US Capitol as he continued a trip aimed at showcasing stronger economic and security ties with Washington, despite ongoing criticism of his human rights record. Trump offered strong public support for the crown prince, downplaying the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence linked to MBS.
Several senior Republicans—including House Speaker Mike Johnson and key committee chairmen—attended the White House dinner. The crown prince, long treated as a pariah after Khashoggi’s killing, appeared to have regained acceptance in Washington. Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who once called MBS a “gangster,” sat nearby during the Oval Office meeting.
Still, some lawmakers voiced criticism. Senator Tim Kaine condemned Trump’s warm reception of MBS, urging accountability for Khashoggi’s family and questioning the president’s business interests. Senator Jeanne Shaheen also raised concerns over the newly announced initiatives and demanded full briefings from the administration.
MBS, who agreed to raise Saudi investments in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion, will also attend an investment conference in Washington featuring top American CEOs. Both sides announced new deals in defence, nuclear cooperation, and artificial intelligence.
