WASHINGTON DC: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and tech billionaire Elon Musk were among high-profile guests hosted by US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at a black-tie dinner inside the White House, marking one of the most unusual gatherings of global figures this year.
The event, held in the East Room, brought together dozens of executives from the technology, finance, energy, film and automotive sectors, alongside top sporting personalities and global policymakers.
President Trump opened the dinner by acknowledging some of his guests, including Ronaldo, revealing that he introduced the Portuguese star to his youngest son, Barron Trump, who was reportedly excited about the meeting.
Although Ronaldo’s purpose at the event was not officially stated, the Al-Nassr striker has become the central figure in Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar drive to build a global football powerhouse since joining the Saudi Pro League in 2022.
His attendance further highlighted his close ties with Saudi authorities. In an interview earlier this year, Ronaldo openly referred to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as our boss, reflecting the strategic and financial partnership between the league and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
For Musk, the dinner marked his first visit to the White House since leaving his advisory role earlier in the year after publicly criticizing Trump on several policy issues.
The Tesla CEO did not receive an on-stage shoutout during the ceremony, but Trump was seen tapping him lightly on the arm as he entered a gesture analysts say could hint at a softening tension between both men.
Also, in attendance were:
-
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia
-
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
-
Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies
-
Senior executives from the global finance, oil, entertainment and automotive industries
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present as part of ongoing engagements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During his speech at the dinner, President Trump announced that the United States is designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a move aimed at deepening military, trade, and security cooperation between both nations.
Although largely symbolic, the designation offers preferred access to certain categories of US defence equipment and strategic operations.
Trump and the Crown Prince appeared together throughout the event, underscoring their strengthening political and economic alignment.
The dinner marked a rare public appearance for Ronaldo on American soil. The Portuguese star has not played or visited the US since 2014, a period clouded by legal controversies stemming from allegations made against him in Las Vegas.
Ronaldo has consistently denied the accusations, and US prosecutors in 2019 announced that no criminal charges would be filed, citing insufficient evidence.
The footballer recently extended his contract with Al-Nassr for a reported $710 million, keeping him in Saudi Arabia until at least the 2026–27 season, a deal that cements him as the face of the kingdom’s global sports investment drive.
