Trump Hosts Exclusive Tech CEO Dinner at White House, Musk Notably Absent

Former President Donald Trump hosted a private dinner for top technology executives. The event occurred at the White House on Thursday evening. Prominent figures from the AI and tech sectors attended the gathering.

The guest list featured leaders like Bill Gates and Tim Cook. However, Elon Musk was a notable exclusion from the invitation. The dinner followed a related task force meeting on artificial intelligence.

Guest List Reveals Key Industry Players

The White House confirmed the attendee. According to their list, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was present. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg also attended.

The event included about a dozen other top executives. Google’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman were among them. The gathering aimed to discuss technology and innovation.

The initial plan was to host the dinner outdoors. Officials moved the event indoors due to rain in Washington. A White House official confirmed the venue change anonymously.

Musk’s Omission Highlights Public Split

The absence of Elon Musk drew significant attention. He was once a close ally appointed by Trump. Musk publicly split with the former president earlier this year.

The reasons for his exclusion were not officially detailed. The move signals a continued rift between the two figures. Other tech leaders maintained their presence at the high-profile event.

The dinner followed an AI Education Task Force meeting. First Lady Melania Trump chaired that afternoon session. She emphasized the growing role of technology in modern life.

The event underscores the ongoing relationship between politics and big tech. This Trump tech CEO dinner highlights shifting alliances in the industry. The focus remains on collaboration for future innovation.

Info at your fingertips

Who was invited to the White House dinner?

The guest list included Bill Gates, Tim Cook, and Mark Zuckerberg. Google’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman were also present. About a dozen top tech executives attended in total.

Why was Elon Musk not invited?

Elon Musk was excluded following a public split with Trump. He was once a close ally but the relationship soured earlier this year. The White House did not provide an official reason for his omission.

Where was the dinner held?

The dinner was initially planned for the Rose Garden. Due to bad weather, it was moved indoors to the State Dining Room. A White House official confirmed the location change.

What was the purpose of the event?

The dinner followed a White House task force meeting on artificial intelligence. It aimed to foster discussion on technology and innovation. The event brought together key leaders from the tech industry.

Did Melania Trump participate in the events?

Yes, the First Lady chaired the Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force meeting. That session occurred on Thursday afternoon before the dinner. Some tech leaders attended both events.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, White House Press Pool