Big Tech leaders praised Trump at a White House dinner, pledging billions in U.S. investments as AI and innovation take center stage.
Trump White House Dinner
In a scene that felt part political theater, part Silicon Valley boardroom, President Donald Trump hosted the biggest names in Big Tech at the White House on Thursday evening. Seated around a grand dinner table, executives from Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI took turns thanking the president and pledging massive investments in the United States.
The gathering comes at a delicate moment for the tech industry. Leaders are pushing for lighter government regulation, particularly around artificial intelligence, while Trump’s FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson remains an outspoken critic of Big Tech’s dominance.
Who Was in the Room
The guest list read like a who’s who of the technology world:
- Mark Zuckerberg (Meta)
- Bill Gates (Microsoft cofounder)
- Tim Cook (Apple CEO)
- Sundar Pichai (Google CEO)
- Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO)
Noticeably absent? Elon Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX chief said on X that he had been invited but could not attend, sending a representative in his place.
Tech Leaders Praise Trump
Sitting beside Trump, Mark Zuckerberg thanked the president for creating an environment where companies could make “huge investments” in U.S. infrastructure, pledging at least $600 billion through 2028 for Meta’s data centers and innovation projects.
Bill Gates, seated near First Lady Melania Trump, praised the administration for encouraging advanced manufacturing in the U.S. “We could make a major investment in the United States and have some key manufacturing here,” Gates said.
Sam Altman of OpenAI went even further, thanking Trump for being a “pro-business, pro-innovation president” and calling it “a refreshing change” that would position the U.S. to lead the world in technology.
Elon Musk Stays Away, But Not Silent
Although Musk didn’t show up, his absence became part of the story. The billionaire posted that he was invited but couldn’t attend, a claim later confirmed by a White House spokesperson.
The complicated relationship between Musk and Trump has been under the spotlight for months. Once a close adviser, Musk left his role in the administration earlier this year after clashing over a major funding bill. He even threatened to launch a new political party, though that has yet to materialize.
Still, recent remarks from Trump suggest the two may be on a path to reconciliation. On a podcast this week, the president called Musk “a man of common sense” and “a good man,” adding: “I liked him… I like him now.”
The Intrigue Inside the Dinner
At one point, a reporter asked Zuckerberg about online free speech in the U.K., leaving the Meta CEO visibly uncomfortable. Trump quickly jumped in with a joke:
“This is the beginning of your political career… he didn’t think he’d get that question!”
The exchange drew laughter around the room, but a hot mic later caught Zuckerberg whispering to Trump, “Sorry, I wasn’t ready…” a candid moment that revealed the tension behind the polished speeches.
Why It Matters
This dinner wasn’t just about good food and polite conversation. For tech leaders, it was about shaping a relationship with a president whose policies could directly impact the future of AI, chip manufacturing, and global competitiveness.
For Trump, it was a show of strength: Silicon Valley’s most powerful names not only at his table, but thanking him for his leadership.
Also Read: Trump’s Truth Social AI Search Engine Launched to Compete with Google
FAQs:
Q1: Why did Big Tech leaders meet with Trump at the White House?
They gathered to discuss investment commitments in the U.S. and to show support for Trump’s pro-business policies, especially around AI and advanced manufacturing.
Q2: Why didn’t Elon Musk attend the dinner?
Musk said he was invited but couldn’t attend, sending a representative instead. His absence reflects a complicated relationship with Trump, though recent comments suggest a potential thaw.
Q3: What investments did tech companies announce?
Meta pledged $600 billion through 2028 for U.S. data centers and infrastructure, while Gates and others highlighted plans for advanced manufacturing and AI development.
