Trump and Musk Reconcile at White House State Dinner Honoring Saudi Crown Prince

Elon Musk made his return to the White House, attending a state dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The billionaire Tesla CEO's appearance marked his first public visit to the Presidential residence since their highly publicized disagreement earlier this year.

Footage shared on X captured President Trump entering the venue alongside First Lady Melania Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince. During his entrance, Trump noticed Musk and reached out to tap him gently on the arm. Musk responded with several acknowledging nods.

This brief interaction quickly gained traction online, with one viral post stating: "President Trump tapped Elon Musk on his way in to the White House dinner tonight. Elon's reaction says it all. The bros are back together."

Social media users enthusiastically commented on the exchange, with remarks such as "The boys are back" and "Love how he nodded, like yea we so back."

The prestigious dinner was held in the White House East Room on November 18, bringing together select distinguished guests as part of the Saudi Crown Prince's first US visit in seven years. His previous 2018 trip had been overshadowed by journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing.

The rift between Musk and Trump had emerged over the President's tax-and-spending legislation, which Musk described as a "disgusting abomination" that would increase the deficit and reduce clean-energy incentives.

At the time, the tech entrepreneur threatened to campaign against the bill's supporters and suggested forming a new political party, breaking from his previous Trump support. Trump responded by suggesting potential cuts to federal subsidies and contracts for Tesla and SpaceX. Musk countered by denying receipt of special subsidies, defending his NASA contracts, and accusing Trump of favoring the oil and gas industry.

For Tuesday's event, reports indicated Musk received a personal invitation from Trump. He joined other notable attendees including golf legend Tiger Woods, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

President Trump provided the Saudi Crown Prince with an elaborate White House welcome and defended him when a journalist raised questions about Khashoggi's 2018 murder. The Crown Prince's arrival featured full ceremonial pageantry, including mounted soldiers, a Marine Corps band, and an F-35 fighter jet flyover, coinciding with the US announcing a defense cooperation agreement and designating Saudi Arabia as a "major non-NATO ally."

During the visit, Trump announced Saudi Arabia's plans to purchase nearly $142 billion in American military equipment and suggested potential Saudi investment in the US reaching up to $1 trillion.