Musk excluded from Trump’s Rose Garden dinner with tech CEOs

President Donald Trump hosted a dinner for leaders of the tech and business world in the newly renovated Rose Garden of the White House, but Elon Musk was absent from the guest list.

The dinner was seen as an effort to improve the relations between the current administration and the tech industry.

Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman, said, “The Rose Garden Club at the White House is the hottest place to be in Washington, or perhaps the world. The president looks forward to welcoming top business, political, and tech leaders for this dinner and the many dinners to come on the new, beautiful Rose Garden patio.”

Several key figures from the tech industry were invited and attended the dinner, including Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Sergey Brin, Sam Altman, and Satya Nadella.

One of the most controversial aspects of the dinner was the fact that Elon Musk was not on the guest list.

Musk and Trump were once considered close allies. Musk had a role in the early Trump administration, leading a government efficiency initiative, and also provided significant financial support to Trump’s campaign.

The relationship between the two derailed over a major tax and spending bill passed by the administration earlier in 2025. Musk called the legislation a “MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK” on social media.

As a result, Trump reportedly threatened to end government contracts with Musk’s companies.

Despite recent public disagreements, Trump praised SpaceX CEO as a genius while acknowledging his flaws, and suggesting he will return to the Republican fold.

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