Elon Musk Helps Saudi Arabia Whitewash Its Image While Securing $600 Billion Deal Through Tesla, Satellites, and Tunnels

Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, has found himself at the center of one of the most high-profile deals in history, thanks to his close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During the recent Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, Musk confirmed that he would be playing a significant role in striking multiple lucrative deals with the kingdom, involving not just his iconic electric vehicle company, Tesla, but also SpaceX’s satellite services and Boring Company’s tunnel projects.

The price tag? An astronomical $600 billion—an amount that makes the deal one of the largest in history.

While the Saudi government has long been known for its oil-based economy and complex geopolitical alliances, the kingdom has recently been trying to pivot away from fossil fuels and rebrand itself as a leader in technological innovation. As part of its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its revenue streams, modernize its infrastructure, and move toward a future powered by renewable energy sources and cutting-edge technology.

In this pursuit, Saudi Arabia has found an unlikely but powerful ally in Elon Musk, whose influence stretches from electric cars to space exploration and beyond.

At the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, U.S. President Donald Trump announced what could be the single largest arms deal in history—$142 billion worth of American drones, manned aircraft, missiles, and other advanced weaponry. However, the real shock came when Trump revealed that Musk, his close associate and largest campaign donor, would be involved in key investments tied to Saudi Arabia’s technological transformation.

This deal, according to sources familiar with the matter, is being seen as a major move not just for Musk’s companies but for the political and business ties that bind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Musk, serving in his role as “Special Government Employee” within the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, has been instrumental in securing approval for SpaceX's Starlink to provide surveillance and monitoring systems for Saudi Arabia's aviation and maritime operations. The deal represents a significant leap for Musk’s satellite internet company, as it looks to extend its reach to the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, which has long been reliant on Western defense systems, now sees an opportunity to enhance its capabilities through both military and civilian technological partnerships.

Saudi Arabia, traditionally known for its massive oil wealth, has faced increasing pressure to shift its economic model away from petroleum. With global calls for reducing carbon emissions and increasing investments in renewable energy, the kingdom has set ambitious goals to rebrand itself as a modern, tech-savvy nation.

Musk’s companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company—fit seamlessly into Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify its economy.

One of the central aspects of this transformation is the construction of the “Neom City” project, a futuristic megacity meant to serve as a testbed for smart technologies and sustainable living. As part of the plan, Musk has agreed to provide critical infrastructure, including electric vehicles for the city’s transportation systems, satellite communication for the smart city’s tech infrastructure, and even tunneling solutions from The Boring Company to alleviate urban congestion.

The Boring Company, which Musk founded to revolutionize public transportation, could provide the kingdom with underground tunnels for high-speed transit—helping to turn Saudi Arabia into a global hub for innovation.

For Saudi Arabia, these deals are about more than just business. They are part of a calculated strategy to improve its global reputation. The kingdom has been notorious for its human rights abuses, including the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which sparked international condemnation.

In an attempt to shift the narrative, Saudi Arabia has turned to “sportswashing,” hosting high-profile events like the Saudi Arabian Formula E race and luring top-tier athletes and sports teams to play in the country. Now, it is embracing “techwashing”—a strategy aimed at positioning the kingdom as a forward-thinking, modernized state capable of leading the world in technological innovation.

Musk’s involvement in these projects is a perfect fit for this strategy. As one of the most high-profile figures in the tech world, his name and reputation are now synonymous with innovation and the future of humanity. By aligning with Musk’s companies, Saudi Arabia not only secures cutting-edge technology but also gains credibility on the global stage.

In many ways, Musk’s willingness to engage with the Saudi regime provides the kingdom with a sense of legitimacy, helping to soften the image of a country that has long been criticized for its political and social policies.

For President Donald Trump, the financial and political benefits of these deals are clear. As the leader of a country with extensive political and economic influence, Trump’s decision to align himself with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 dovetails with his broader geopolitical goals.

The U.S. has long been an ally of Saudi Arabia, and Trump’s close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has only strengthened over time. By facilitating these high-stakes deals, Trump not only strengthens his ties with the kingdom but also ensures that American companies, like Musk’s, continue to dominate the global tech and defense markets.

Trump’s personal financial stake in these deals is also hard to ignore. As the president’s largest campaign donor, Musk’s support of Trump has paid off in the form of lucrative government contracts, including those related to SpaceX and Tesla’s involvement in national defense initiatives. In return, Trump has been quick to defend Saudi Arabia’s controversial actions, including its role in the Yemen conflict and the murder of Khashoggi, signaling a shift in American foreign policy towards an even closer alignment with the kingdom.

While Musk’s deals with Saudi Arabia have undoubtedly bolstered his business empire, they have also sparked controversy. Critics argue that Musk’s partnership with the Saudi regime is a direct contradiction to his advocacy for environmental sustainability and human rights.

By engaging with a country that has been accused of human rights violations, Musk risks alienating some of his most loyal supporters, particularly those who have praised Tesla for its commitment to clean energy and ethical business practices.

Furthermore, these deals highlight the growing influence of corporate power in shaping U.S. foreign policy. Musk, whose companies have received significant government support, now finds himself in the position of both shaping and benefitting from that same policy.

As U.S. government agencies continue to grant Musk’s companies access to sensitive projects, questions arise about the long-term implications of this cozy relationship between big business and the state.

As the dust settles from the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, it’s clear that Musk’s deals with Saudi Arabia represent more than just financial transactions—they are a bold statement of the direction in which both the kingdom and Musk’s empire are headed. With Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company poised to play major roles in Saudi Arabia’s technological and infrastructural overhaul, the billionaire entrepreneur has cemented his status as a key player in global politics and business.

For Saudi Arabia, these partnerships are crucial for its Vision 2030 goals. They provide a path forward that not only repositions the kingdom as a leader in innovation but also helps to mitigate its tarnished international image.

As the country looks to the future, Musk’s companies will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of this transformation, helping to pave the way for a new era of technological advancement in the kingdom.

However, the question remains: What price does Musk pay for aligning himself so closely with one of the most controversial regimes in the world?

Only time will tell if these high-stakes partnerships will ultimately bolster his legacy or tarnish his brand. But one thing is certain—the Saudi-U.S. investment deal, worth a staggering $600 billion, marks a new chapter in Musk’s business empire—and in the ongoing relationship between Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia.