Apple CEO Tim Cook will attend a White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump. The event, held in the newly redesigned Rose Garden Patio, gathers about two dozen leading technology executives for discussions and networking.
The evening begins with an AI-focused presentation led by Melania Trump. Afterward, guests will move to dinner. A White House spokesperson called the Rose Garden Club “the hottest place to be in Washington, or perhaps the world.”
Big Names on the Guest List
Cook will join Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Satya Nadella, and Google’s Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin. OpenAI founder Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Safra Catz will also attend.
Elon Musk clarified on X that he received an invite but could not attend. Instead, a representative will take his place.
A Historic Venue
The Rose Garden, created in 1902 and expanded in the 1960s, has hosted major presidential events. Trump recently replaced its lawn with a stone patio for high-profile gatherings. This dinner marks its first official use.
For Cook, the dinner is also a return to the White House. In August, he presented Trump with a gold and glass commemorative plaque.
Why It Matters
The agenda remains partly unclear. However, combining an AI presentation with a dinner featuring top executives signals the White House’s intent. It wants stronger ties with major players in the tech industry while AI and digital infrastructure take center stage in global policy debates.
