Cristiano Ronaldo and Elon Musk Attend Trump’s White House Dinner for Saudi Crown Prince

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and billionaire Elon Musk attended a White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump. The event welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It brought together sports stars, business leaders and political figures in a lavish black-tie gathering.

Ronaldo, 40, plays for Saudi club Al Nassr. He sat near the head of Trump’s table just before the president and crown prince arrived. Trump praised Ronaldo and shared a personal story. “You know, my son is a big fan of Ronaldo,” he said. He added that his 19-year-old son Barron respected him more after meeting the player. Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr ends this summer. He confirmed next year’s World Cup will “definitely” be his last. Portugal booked their place on Sunday.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino also attended. His presence highlighted the focus on soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The dinner reflected Saudi Arabia’s push to attract veteran players despite criticism over its human rights record.

Elon Musk wore a tuxedo and mingled with other guests at a separate table. The dinner marked a thaw in relations between Musk and Trump. Earlier this year, the two had publicly clashed over government spending and investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. Musk once led the Department of Government Efficiency and joined Trump on a Saudi trip in May.

During the evening, Trump praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a “man of leadership.” He also defended the prince over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder. The dinner combined celebrities, politicians and business leaders, showing a rare mix of influence and power at the White House.

The event highlighted Trump’s flair for high-profile gatherings. It drew global attention for mixing entertainment, politics and business in a single evening.