Elon Musk Responds After Lip Reader Claims He Made ‘Explosive’ Remark at Trump–MBS Dinner

While the event aimed to showcase strategic ties between the two countries, the moment involving the SpaceX founder has added an unexpected layer to the evening.

A seemingly tense moment at a glittering White House dinner is drawing international scrutiny after Elon Musk appeared on camera making a startling remark about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Billionaire’s Startling Question Caught on Camera

According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, Elon Musk was seen turning to Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during the high-stakes state dinner on November 18, 2025, and asking, "What is your opinion, is he a terrorist?"

Hickling, who analyzed the footage for the Daily Mail, said the question appeared to refer to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and claimed Bourla looked visibly taken aback by the remark.

The brief clip has spread swiftly across social media, sparking intense speculation. In response to the publication's allegation, Musk issued a firm denial on X.

A Star-Studded Evening of Power and Influence

The controversial moment occurred during a high-profile evening in the White House East Room, where U.S.–Saudi Arabia relations were front and center.

The event opened with a ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn, with U.S. and Saudi Arabia flags on display and a military band performing as the evening began.

Along with Bourla and Musk, other well-known guests included Apple CEO Tim Cook and football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr. Donald Trump Jr. was also there, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Maria Bartiromo.

Top business figures in attendance included Nvidia's Jensen Huang, investor Charles Schwab, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and Palantir's Alex Karp.

Trump Touts Trillion-Dollar Deal as Crown Prince Makes Long-Awaited Return

Standing before the guests over dinner, Trump announced that Saudi Arabia had significantly increased its planned investment in the United States, from $600 billion to $1 trillion. He hailed the move as a landmark for job creation and long-term growth.

He also highlighted a series of new agreements involving civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, calling them a major step forward in U.S.–Saudi cooperation.

Crown Prince Mohammed used his remarks to emphasize mutual opportunity, declaring, "We believe the opportunities is [sic] huge." He stressed the importance of long-term collaboration between the two nations.

The Prince's return to the White House reportedly marked his first visit in seven years, following the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The U.S.–Saudi state dinner on November 18 came after Trump and Musk’s surprise reunion, as reported on September 22.

Trump and Musk were spotted together for the first time in months following their headline-grabbing, deeply personal public feud — and their brief, cryptic interaction at a memorial service for controversial conservative figure Charlie Kirk has set the internet ablaze with speculation, suspicion, and stunning symbolism.

The surprise encounter, captured on video and now circulating rapidly online, unfolded during Kirk's memorial at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 21 — and it wasn't long before the reunion morphed into a viral spectacle, complete with strange hand signs, lip-reading analysis, and a potential political realignment that no one saw coming.

From Bitter Enemies to Awkward Allies? Trump and Musk Reunite — And Social Media Explodes

In one jaw-dropping clip, Musk walked into a skybox where Trump was seated beside UFC champion Dana White, and took a seat beside the 45th president. Cameras captured the moment Trump turned, offered a warm handshake, and engaged the Tesla titan in what appeared to be a cordial — if tense — conversation.

But it was what happened next that sent shockwaves through the crowd: both men had been seen briefly raising their hands in an eerie triangular formation, then lowering them without explanation. That gesture — silent, synchronized, and strangely symbolic — launched a thousand conspiracy theories.

"I'm tired of pretending to what that means, what does Mr Trump and Elon hand symbol means? It's often displayed in public [sic]," wrote one confused viewer. "Lot of weird hand signals going on at the Charlie Kirk memorial," another remarked.

"Tell me more about the weird hand thing Elon has going on," said a third."Why do they flash this hand sign every single time?" someone else asked. "The hand gesture from Elon again 🤣," a netizen joked.

'For Charlie': Musk Posts Cryptic Photo After Tense Exchange — Lip Reader Reveals Emotional Conversation

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk posted a photo of the exchange later that day — hand signs clearly visible — with the caption, "For Charlie." Then, thanks to lip reader Nicola Hickling, the public learned exactly what was said during the reunion — and it painted a far more emotional picture than many expected.

According to Hickling, Trump greeted Musk with, "How are you doing?" to which Musk simply shrugged. Then came the kicker: "So, Elon, I've heard you wanted to chat," Trump reportedly said. "Let's try and work out how to get back on track."

Musk nodded — silently. Trump then reached out again, shook his hand and said, "I've missed you." The moment left many stunned. Eric Trump posted a photo from behind the two men, captioned, "The band is back together!"

But was the truce real… or just for show?

Inside the Breakup: 'He Just Went Crazy!' — Trump and Musk’s Feud Gets Personal and Political

This high-profile falling out didn't come out of nowhere. Tensions erupted in early June, when Musk publicly lashed out at Trump after he left his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Trump fired back on Truth Social, accusing Musk of being irrational and claiming:

"Elon was 'wearing thin,' I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!"

On June 6, while flying aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed Musk altogether, telling reporters:

"Honestly, I've been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran, working on so many...I'm not thinking about Elon. I just wish him well."

Musk replied tersely on X:

"Likewise."

But behind closed doors, insiders say Trump was more heartbroken than furious. One adviser admitted the president was simply "bummed" over the split with Musk.

From Tantrums to 'Decommissioning Spacecraft': Elon's Post-Trump Spiral Shocks Even His Fans

In the weeks that followed, Elon Musk unleashed a social media onslaught against Trump — one that stunned even his most loyal followers. The billionaire accused the president of betrayal, financial mismanagement, and even sinister secrets.

Among his most jaw-dropping claims:

1. Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill Was a 'Disgusting Abomination'

Musk fumed over a $5 trillion debt ceiling hike, posting, "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

He later added sarcastically, "In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both [sic] big and beautiful. Everyone knows this!"

2. 'Without Me, Trump Would Have Lost'

Musk claimed he was the reason Trump won, stating: "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate."

3. 'Trump Is in the Epstein Files'

In a scandalous accusation, Musk posted: "@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!"

He then followed up with a cryptic emoji — "🤨" — after sharing a decades-old clip of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein partying in 1992. The reply has since been deleted.

Musk Vows to Shut Down SpaceX’s Iconic Dragon Program

The attacks didn't stop at insults. The real bombshell came when Musk posted this announcement:

"In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately."

With that, Musk threatened to abandon one of NASA's most important partnerships — a move that left space officials and taxpayers stunned.

Trump Hits Back Hard — Defends 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill' and Breaks Silence on Musk's Oval Office Loyalty

On June 5, Trump fired off several responses, calling Musk's actions "crazy" and defending his decision to cancel EV subsidies and NASA appointments.

"The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump wrote. "I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!"

Later, the president appeared before reporters in the Oval Office and finally spoke with nuance about his former friend. "Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore," he said.

He recalled Musk being very happy behind the Resolute Desk, and added: "He wanted that person… and we said no," referencing a rejected NASA nominee. Still, Trump stood firm, saying, "I am right about the 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill.' We go to 'Great, Big, Beautiful Bill' because that's what it is."

Whether this surprise reunion signals a genuine reconciliation or a political chess move, only time will tell. But one thing's for certain: the Trump-Musk saga is far from over.

They may have once shared power, then traded barbs. Now, they’ve traded handshakes — and cryptic signs. And the world is watching.