Elon Musk caught playing with fire as he appears to make explosive remark at Trump’s Saudi banquet
According to a lip reader, Elon Musk was asking a fellow guest if he believed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was a terrorist.
The billionaire donor who spectacularly ruined his relationship with Donald Trump six months ago returned emphatically to the president’s good will on Tuesday by attending a lavish banquet in honor of Mohammed bin Salman.
But Musk apparently couldn’t resist a suggestive comment directed at Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. After taking a sip from his glass, he said mischievously, ‘What do you think, a terrorist?’ he asked.
According to The Lip Reader Nicola Hickling, who analyzed the clip for the Daily Mail, Bourla appeared stunned by the question.
Representatives for Musk and Bourla have been contacted for comment.
Prince Salman was making his first visit to the White House in seven years following the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Trump and his wife Melania, who paid subtle tribute to the Saudis with Elie Saab’s $3,350 green dress, treated him to a magnificent dinner.
Other guests include Cristiano Ronaldo, Donald Trump Jr. It featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Fox News’ Bret Baier and Maria Bartiromo.
Business leaders in attendance included Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Apple’s Tim Cook, Charles Schwab, General Motors’ Mary Barra and Palantir’s Alex Karp.
Prince Salman and Donald Trump shake hands affectionately
Elon Musk chats with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla at a dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump and Melania await the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
America’s relationship with the Saudis was subsequently sent into turmoil Assassination of Khashoggi, a harsh critic of the tyrannical kingdom that executes around 350 people a year, including political opponents and homosexuals.
Trump was grilled on Tuesday over his links to the journalist’s killing, following Prince Salman’s lavish reception, including an Air Force flyover, an exhibit usually reserved for America’s closest allies.
‘You’re talking about someone [Khashoggi] That was extremely controversial,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
‘Many people did not like the gentleman you mentioned. Whether you love it or not, things happen. But he [Prince Salman] I didn’t know anything about it.”
Khashoggi, who lived in Virginia and worked as a columnist for the Washington Post, was invited to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was ambushed, strangled and dismembered by 15 agents. His remains were never found.
The crown prince has denied any involvement but is said to believe US intelligence likely directed agents to carry it out.
ABC News’ Mary Bruce cited US intelligence when she told Prince Salman ‘you planned the brutal murder of a journalist’ and also said ‘9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office’.
‘Why should Americans trust you?’ he asked, and Trump said, ‘Who are you with?’ he asked. throughout his investigation.
Donald Trump Jr. chats with other guests at White House dinner
Cristiano Ronaldo was front and center in a selfie at the White House with (left to right): Elon Musk, Gianni Infantino, David Sacks, Allison Lutnick, Howard Lutnick, fiancée Georgina Rodriguez and Greg Brockman
He then labeled Bruce ‘fake news’ before defending the crown prince.
When Trump asked to pursue the Epstein files, he attacked the journalist a second time and even threatened to revoke ABC’s license.
“What concerns me is not the question, but your attitude,” Trump said. “I think you’re a terrible reporter,” he added, calling her “insubordinate.”
Prince Salman responded to Khashoggi’s question by saying, “It is truly painful to hear that someone lost his life for a real cause or in an illegal way.”
‘And it was painful for us in Saudi Arabia. Investigation etc. in Saudi Arabia. We took all the right steps. ‘We have improved our system to make sure something like this doesn’t happen,’ the Crown Prince added.
Despite the Khashoggi scandal Trump has remained close to the Saudi royal family.
He welcomed the crown prince to the White House for the first time since the journalist’s killing, with F-15s and F-35s flying over him, a horse parade, and pats on the back; This is a clear breach of royal protocol.
When Biden went to Saudi Arabia in 2022, he greeted the crown prince with a fist instead of a handshake because he did not want to appear too friendly due to the Khashoggi murder. This move was met with controversy because it seemed even friendlier.
In addition to Trump’s deepening political ties with Saudi Arabia, the Trump family has significant private business interests in the Gulf country, including a massive residential skyscraper planned for Jeddah.
