September 4, 2025
Trump hosts tech leaders at Rose Garden dinner September 2025
Zuckerberg, Cook and Gates attend, Musk kept off guest list
🔐Ethics🤖AI Governance💡Technology
The President hosted about three dozen Silicon Valley leaders at the White House on Sept. 4, 2025. The planned Rose Garden event moved indoors to the State Dining Room because of inclement weather.
Executives discussed U.S. investment plans, and Meta described a multiyear U.S. pledge reporters said totaled $600 billion.
Elon Musk did not attend the dinner.
"President Trump hosted a dinner for 33 Silicon Valley leaders at the White House on Sept. 4, 2025."
"The event took place in the renovated Rose Garden."
"Officials said the gathering marked the garden's reopening after renovations."
"Attendees included Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Tim Cook of Apple."
"Sam Altman of OpenAI and other chief executives also attended."
"Reports named leaders from major tech firms rather than a full guest list."
"Elon Musk did not attend and was not listed among invitees."
"His absence drew attention because of his public disputes with the administration."
"The dinner served as an outreach to the tech sector ahead of policy talks."
"Several attendees announced plans for U.S. investments or expansions."
"Companies outlined new hiring and facility plans during or after the meeting."
"Officials did not provide a comprehensive dollar total for the commitments."
🔐Ethics🤖AI Governance💡Technology
People, bills, and sources
"Donald Trump"
"President of the United States"
"Mark Zuckerberg"
"CEO of Meta"
"Tim Cook"
"CEO of Apple"
"Bill Gates"
"Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist"
"Elon Musk"
"CEO of Tesla and SpaceX"
What You Can Do
1
"Verification"
"Confirm attendee list with officials"
"Confirm the final attendee list with The White House press office. Request job titles and company affiliations for all 33 attendees."
2
"Financial oversight"
"Obtain written details of pledges"
"Obtain exact wording and timelines for any investment pledges announced at the dinner. Ask company press offices for dollar amounts and binding terms."
3
"Accountability"
"Monitor contracts and disclosure filings"
"Search federal contracting databases for awards to attendee companies after Sept. 4, 2025. Review lobby filings and public ethics disclosures for new access or agreements."