Elon Musk confirms he was invited to the White House tech summit but won’t attend. Top tech leaders like Zuckerberg, Pichai & Altman expected to join.
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Elon Musk Says He Was Invited to White House Reception but Will Not Attend
Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, revealed on Thursday that he was invited to the White House’s tech leader summit but will not be attending.
The private dinner, hosted in the newly renovated Rose Garden, is part of an exclusive event bringing together some of the most influential tech leaders in the world. While Musk won’t be present, a representative from his team will attend on his behalf.
Who’s Attending the Exclusive Rose Garden Summit
According to a White House official, the guest list for Thursday’s event includes:
- Mark Zuckerberg — CEO of Meta
- Tim Cook — CEO of Apple
- Bill Gates — Microsoft Co-Founder
- Sundar Pichai — CEO of Google & Alphabet
- Sam Altman — CEO of OpenAI
The event is expected to cover artificial intelligence, data privacy, and big tech regulation, as the administration seeks stronger collaboration with Silicon Valley’s most powerful companies.
Why Musk Isn’t Attending
Responding to a question from an X (formerly Twitter) user asking why he wasn’t invited, Musk clarified:
“I was invited, but unfortunately could not attend. A representative of mine will be there.”
While Musk didn’t elaborate on the reason, analysts suggest his absence could be linked to tensions with the Trump administration earlier this year.
Musk’s Complicated Relationship With the Trump White House
Musk was once one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, frequently advising the administration on technology and innovation. However, their relationship took a dramatic turn earlier this summer when Musk resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency following disagreements over federal funding policies.
After stepping down, Musk publicly criticized Trump’s spending decisions and even hinted at launching his own political party — though no formal steps have been taken yet.
Despite the fallout, recent statements from Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggest an effort to rebuild the relationship.
Trump and Vance Signal a Thawing Relationship
During an interview on CNN contributor Scott Jennings’ podcast, Trump praised Musk while acknowledging their differences:
“He’s got 80% super genius and then 20% he’s got some problems. When he works out the 20%, he’ll be great. I liked him… I like him now.”
Similarly, Vice President JD Vance recently said Musk’s ties to the Trump White House are “complicated,” but expressed optimism that Musk will back Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterms:
“You’re not going to be on the left, even if you wanted to be — and he doesn’t. That ship has sailed. So I think it’s a mistake for him to try to break from the president.”
Signs of Musk Warming Up Again
Despite earlier tensions, Musk has recently toned down his criticism of the administration. In August, he even reacted positively to a White House photo showing Trump, Macron, and Zelenskyy by replying with fire and laughing emojis on X.
Some analysts believe Musk’s White House invitation is a symbolic gesture, signaling that both sides may be interested in rekindling their working relationship.
A Look Back: Biden’s Snub Still Stings
Musk’s White House invitation stands in contrast to 2021, when then-President Joe Biden pointedly excluded Tesla from a high-profile EV summit.
At the time, Biden praised General Motors for “leading the electric car revolution,” despite Tesla’s dominance in EV production. Musk publicly blasted the administration, saying Biden “added insult to injury” by ignoring Tesla’s contributions.
On Thursday, Musk even reposted a 2023 interview where he criticized Biden’s remarks, writing:
“I try not to start fights, but I do finish them.”
What This Means for Musk, Tesla, and xAI
While Musk won’t attend, his companies — Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI — remain central to the discussions happening at the White House summit. With AI regulation, electric vehicle incentives, and space exploration funding on the agenda, Musk’s indirect participation could still influence future policy.
Experts suggest that Musk’s growing presence in AI innovation through xAI could put him back in the administration’s good graces — especially as global competition with China over AI leadership heats up.
FAQs
1. Was Elon Musk invited to the White House dinner?
Yes. Musk confirmed he was invited to the Rose Garden tech summit, but he will not attend.
2. Why isn’t Musk going?
Musk hasn’t provided a specific reason but has sent a representative in his place.
3. Who else is attending the tech summit?
Top tech leaders including Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai, and Sam Altman.
4. Is Musk’s relationship with Trump improving?
Yes. While they clashed earlier this year, recent statements from Trump and JD Vance suggest a possible reconciliation.
5. Does this event affect Tesla and xAI?
Yes. Policies on EV incentives, AI regulations, and tech partnerships discussed at the event could impact Musk’s businesses.