Head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, will attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on May 13-14, 2025, as a U.S. government official. Musk has emerged as the president’s existing right-hand man since Trump’s election victory in 2024, wielding unprecedented influence over U.S. policy.
The Riyadh event aims to secure massive U.S. investments in defence, AI, crypto and healthcare. Musk’s presence in Riyadh follows high-profile engagements with Trump, including meetings with France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
Musk’s Evolving Role
Even though there are pending investigations into Musk’s companies as well as $15 billion in federal contracts, Trump’s team insists he is in line with all legal guidelines.
Musk has however, built a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia in the previous months. He launched Tesla showrooms in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, helping in Saudi Arabia’s push for electric cars.
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The Riyadh forum aligns with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision that seeks to transform its economy through tech and innovation.
Its agenda includes discussions on AI and space, Elon Musk’s best expertise. For Musk, the event offers a chance to secure deals that could bolster his companies amid Tesla’s 13% global sales drop and SpaceX’s growing role in U.S. space
President Trump’s 2017 Saudi Arabia yielded $400 billion in deals. This time, Trump reportedly seeks over $1.3 trillion in Saudi investments. This will help him to advance his ‘America First’ agenda through military spending.
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Elon’s DOGE role positions him as a key negotiator, although his involvement raises concerns about aligning U.S. policy with his business interests, particularly in light of his reported interactions with adversaries like China’s Xi Jinping.
His DOGE initiatives, including mass firings and agency cuts, have faced lawsuits and protests, with some federal workers resigning over ethical concerns. Tesla has on the other hand seen vandalism and declining sales.
Worldwide Platform
For Musk, this Riyadh forum is a chance to show off his dual role as a tech mogul and as a government official. It is also a chance to shape U.S.–Saudi relations while advancing his companies’ goals.
For Trump, it is a chance to showcase his economic vision, with Musk as the key player.
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