Tim Cook Joins White House Dinner for Saudi Crown Prince's First U.S. Visit Since 2018
The appearance underscores Silicon Valley’s pursuit of Saudi deals despite the CIA’s finding that Mohammed bin Salman ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.
Overview
- President Donald Trump hosted the dinner and publicly defended the crown prince when pressed about Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.
- The New York Times reported Cook’s attendance alongside X’s Elon Musk, Dell’s Michael Dell, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and AMD’s Linda Su.
- The gathering came during Mohammed bin Salman’s first trip to the United States since Khashoggi’s 2018 murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
- Apple’s involvement in Saudi Arabia includes over $2 billion invested in local companies, an online store launched in July 2025, and retail locations planned for 2026.
- Cook previously met the crown prince in 2018 and last visited Saudi Arabia in December 2024, reflecting sustained engagement despite ongoing rights concerns.