Washington — In a powerful display of converging influence from sports, technology, and politics, global icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Elon Musk were among the high-profile guests at the lavish, black-tie dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The event solidified the Kingdom's deep ties with leading figures in the Western world.
The dinner, held in the East Room, served as a key networking event, bringing together major figures from global business, technology, and sports, all under the umbrella of strengthening U.S.-Saudi relations.
Key Details of Their Attendance
Cristiano Ronaldo: A Symbol of Saudi Football League
The presence of the Portuguese football superstar was highly symbolic, underscoring Saudi Arabia's strategic use of sports to elevate its global profile.
- Saudi Ties: Ronaldo currently plays for the Saudi club Al-Nassr, a team majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chaired by MBS himself. His attendance was a direct reflection of this partnership.
- Presidential Shout-Out: President Trump made a point of recognizing Ronaldo in his formal remarks, sharing a personal anecdote that his youngest son, Barron Trump, is a "big fan" and was thrilled to meet the athlete.
- Viral Moment: The event's social reach was amplified when Ronaldo's partner, Georgina Rodríguez, posted a viral selfie from the dinner, which included figures like Elon Musk and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, showcasing the exclusive nature of the gathering.
Elon Musk: A Thaw in a Rocky Relationship
The attendance of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO marked a significant and notable thawing in his publicly rocky relationship with President Trump.
- From Feud to Fellowship: Musk's presence was particularly striking given that just months prior, he had been publicly criticizing Trump and even hinting at his possible involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. His attendance signals a potential reconciliation and a pragmatic alignment of interests.
- Business Alignment: Musk's presence was highly relevant given the evening's major announcement that Saudi Arabia plans to invest up to $1 trillion in the U.S. economy, with a sharp focus on tech sectors like AI and semiconductors, areas central to Musk's businesses like Tesla, xAI, and Neuralink.
The guest list also included other titans of industry such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, cementing the event as a summit of immense global influence where deals are brokered and alliances are forged.
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