“The Rose Garden Club at the White House is the hottest place to be in Washington, or perhaps the world,” declared White House spokesman Davis Ingle. That “club” opened its doors tonight as President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner with over two dozen of the most powerful CEOs and founders in technology and business. The meeting, set in the newly renovated Rose Garden, is a high-stakes convergence of political power and technological innovation, set against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and a notable, fiery absence.
What is the Meeting Really About?
The official agenda, as pitched by the Trump administration, focused on the core tenets of the President’s “Make America Great Again” campaign: boosting local manufacturing and creating jobs. President Trump was expected to rally the tech giants to increase their investments and production within the United States.
However, the subtext is far more complex. The meeting comes just days after a stark reminder of shifting global alliances. The display of Chinese military might and the gathering of world leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi at the SCO summit served as a signal to the U.S. President that other powers are aligning in the face of his aggressive trade policies.
A key topic looming over the polished patio tables was the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Many of the attending leaders represent companies with vast, intricate global supply chains. Discussions likely addressed their concerns that these tariffs may be harming American companies and consumers as much as, or more than, the intended target nations.
Who are all on The Guest List?
The guest read like a who’s who of Silicon Valley and beyond, spanning pioneers of the first tech boom to the architects of the AI revolution.
- Tech Legacy: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
- Current Leadership: Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
- AI Pioneers: OpenAI founder Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman.
- Hardware & Pharma: AMD CEO Lisa Su, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, Dompé Pharma CEO Nathalie Dompé.
- Finance & Venture: Founder of Social Capital Chamath Palihapitiya, Co-founder of Vy Capital John Hering.
- New Space & Crypto: Blue Origin CEO David Limp, White House AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks.
The full list underscores a serious effort to bring every facet of the American tech ecosystem into the fold.
Why is Elon Musk not on the List?
One of the most talked-about aspects of the event was who was not there: Elon Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO was once a close ally of Trump, even taking an advisory role in his administration. Their relationship has since spectacularly unraveled.
The two billionaires have engaged in a public, protracted feud across social media, trading barbs on various issues. The rift deepened significantly when Musk recently amplified allegations dragging Trump into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, claiming the former president was blocking the release of related files. This very public fallout ensured Musk would not be receiving an invitation to the “hottest place to be.”
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A New Washington Power Venue
The dinner was held in the White House’s Rose Garden, which has undergone a notable renovation. Reports note that the grassy lawn has been paved over and furnished with tables, chairs, and umbrellas that bear a striking resemblance to the outdoor setup at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. The transformation physically signifies a new style of political networking, blurring the lines between a formal seat of power and a private club for the elite.
The world now watches to see if this gathering of minds will lead to solidified partnerships or merely remain a symbolic night at the newest club in town.
