David Ellison, Tech Titans and Fox News Hosts Attend White House State Dinner Honoring China’s President

Major tech and media leaders are engaging directly with the U.S. President on geopolitical matters.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted a state dinner honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24, 2026. The event, held at the White House, drew a notable contingent of tech and media executives, alongside Fox News hosts. Attendees from the tech sector included Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Paramount CEO David Ellison, whose company recently settled its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, was also present. Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Laura Ingraham were among the media personalities invited. Notably, CNN reporters were denied access despite having their press passes reinstated.

The convergence of top-tier technology and media executives at a state dinner signals a high-level intersection of industry interests and international diplomacy. The presence of figures like Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang alongside Paramount's David Ellison suggests a focus on global business dynamics and potential strategic alignments, particularly in light of recent corporate deals. This gathering underscores the increasing influence of the tech sector on foreign policy discussions and economic negotiations.

The inclusion of prominent Fox News personalities alongside tech titans indicates a deliberate effort to bridge diverse spheres of influence. While CNN reporters faced access issues, the presence of figures like Jesse Watters and Laura Ingraham highlights a particular media ecosystem's engagement with the administration and its foreign policy agenda. This dynamic could shape public discourse and corporate narratives surrounding international relations and trade.