On May 13, 2025, a historic gathering took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as U.S. President Donald Trump embarked on the first major international trip of his second term. The visit, which included a state dinner at the Omar bin Saud Palace, saw Trump joined by tech billionaire Elon Musk, alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This event marked a significant moment in U.S.-Saudi relations, blending diplomacy, business, and spectacle in a region pivotal to global economics and politics. The dinner, a highlight of Trump’s four-day Middle East tour, underscored the growing ties between American business leaders and Saudi Arabia, with Musk playing a prominent role in the unfolding narrative.

A Grand Welcome in Riyadh

President Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia was nothing short of extravagant. Saudi fighter jets escorted Air Force One as it touched down at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted Trump on a lavender carpet—a symbol of Saudi generosity, often associated with the kingdom’s blooming desert wildflowers. A convoy of Arabian horses, carrying American and Saudi flags, accompanied Trump’s motorcade to the Saudi Royal Court, setting the tone for a visit steeped in ceremony and symbolism. This warm reception stood in stark contrast to the cooler welcome former President Joe Biden received in 2022, reflecting the strengthening ties between Trump and the Saudi leadership.

The day began with a coffee ceremony at the Royal Court, where Trump and Mohammed bin Salman were joined by key U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Elon Musk, who traveled to Saudi Arabia independently of Air Force One, was also present, mingling with dignitaries under portraits of Saudi royalty. The presence of Musk, a close adviser to Trump and the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, highlighted the trip’s dual focus on diplomacy and business. Musk’s attendance was particularly notable given his recent announcement that he would step back from his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus on his businesses. Yet, his participation in this high-profile visit suggested that his influence in Trump’s inner circle remained strong.

A Dinner of Diplomacy and Deals

The day’s events culminated in a state dinner at the Omar bin Saud Palace, a venue known for its opulence and historical significance. Trump and Mohammed bin Salman were the central figures, but Elon Musk’s presence added a layer of intrigue to the evening. The dinner followed a busy day of engagements, including a signing ceremony at the Royal Court and the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, where major deals were announced. According to reports, Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince traveled to the dinner via golf cart from a tour of Dir’iyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, accompanied by traditional Saudi music and dancing. Musk was seen joining them, riding in a second golf cart, a detail that captured the attention of international media.

The dinner itself was closed to the press, but its significance was clear. It served as a capstone to a day of major announcements, including a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia to the U.S., which encompassed a $142 billion arms deal—the largest defense cooperation agreement in U.S. history, according to the White House. The agreement covered energy, defense, mining, and technology, with a focus on air and missile defense, maritime security, and communications. Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) was also a key theme, with the kingdom announcing the launch of a new state-run AI business, Humain, chaired by Mohammed bin Salman. This initiative included a deal with Nvidia to purchase 18,000 AI chips, signaling Saudi Arabia’s intent to diversify its economy beyond oil.

Elon Musk, a major player in the AI and tech sectors, was at the forefront of these discussions. During the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum earlier that day, Musk announced that Saudi Arabia had approved the use of Starlink—his SpaceX-owned satellite internet service—for maritime and aviation purposes in the kingdom. He also teased the possibility of bringing Tesla’s self-driving robotaxis to Saudi Arabia, a move that could further cement his business ties with the region. Musk’s comments at the forum, where he spoke about his vision of a “Star Trek future” and showcased Tesla’s Optimus robots performing a dance to “YMCA” for Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, drew widespread attention. Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha praised Musk, calling him a “lifetime partner and friend” to the kingdom.

The Business Elite in Attendance

The dinner and surrounding events were attended by a who’s who of American business leaders, reflecting the trip’s focus on economic partnerships. Alongside Musk were tech titans like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and Alphabet President Ruth Porat. Financial heavyweights such as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman were also present, as were executives from Coca-Cola, Uber, Boeing, and defense contractors like Halliburton and Northrop Grumman. The presence of such a high-powered delegation underscored Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a major investor in AI and technology, as well as its long-standing role as a key buyer of U.S. arms.

For Musk, the trip was an opportunity to deepen his business interests in the Middle East. Tesla had launched a showroom in Riyadh just a month prior, in April 2025, and Musk’s X platform recently refinanced its debt with help from a Saudi fund. His close relationship with Trump, who introduced him to Mohammed bin Salman, also gave Musk a platform to promote his other ventures, such as The Boring Company, which he pitched as a solution to Riyadh’s traffic issues through tunnel construction. However, Musk’s ambitious promises—particularly around robotaxis and tunnels—drew skepticism from some observers, given his track record of overpromising on projects like the Hyperloop.

Geopolitical Implications

The dinner and Trump’s broader visit carried significant geopolitical weight. Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria, a move he said would give the country a “chance at greatness” following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. He was set to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh on May 14, marking the first such meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years. Trump also expressed hope that Syria would eventually join the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, a goal that aligns with his broader Middle East strategy.

However, the visit was not without controversy. Trump’s decision to prioritize Saudi Arabia over traditional first-trip destinations like Canada or Mexico raised eyebrows, as did his consideration of renaming the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf—a move that would please Saudi Arabia but potentially strain relations with Iran. Additionally, Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar, intended to serve as the new Air Force One, sparked accusations of corruption and conflict of interest, with Democrats in Congress calling for investigations. The Trump family’s expanding business ventures in the Middle East, including luxury towers in Dubai and Jeddah, further fueled concerns about the blending of personal and national interests.

Musk’s Role in Trump’s Orbit

Elon Musk’s participation in the dinner and the broader trip highlighted his evolving role in Trump’s administration. Despite stepping back from his official duties in Washington, Musk’s proximity to the president remained evident. His presence in Riyadh, alongside other tech and finance CEOs, suggested that he was leveraging his relationship with Trump to advance his business interests. Musk’s announcement about Starlink and his pitches for Tesla and The Boring Company were strategic moves to capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s investment ambitions, particularly in AI and infrastructure.

However, Musk’s involvement also raised questions about the ethical implications of his dual role as a business leader and a political influencer. Critics pointed to his history of controversial statements and business practices, as well as his reported contacts with foreign leaders like Vladimir Putin, as potential risks for U.S. foreign policy. Some Democrats in Congress expressed concern that Musk might be using his position to benefit his companies at the expense of American interests, a charge that has yet to be fully addressed.

Conclusion

The state dinner at the Omar bin Saud Palace on May 13, 2025, was more than a diplomatic formality—it was a symbol of the deepening ties between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the American business elite. For Elon Musk, the event was a chance to solidify his foothold in the Middle East, building on his recent business expansions in the region. For President Trump, it was an opportunity to showcase his transactional approach to foreign policy, securing billions in investments and arms deals while advancing his vision for the Middle East. As Trump’s tour continued to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the world watched closely, aware that the decisions made in Riyadh could shape the region’s future for years to come.