Ronaldo, Elon Musk, Gianni Infantino face social media storm after controversial Trump dinner

Cristiano Ronaldo attended a high-profile dinner at the White House hosted by Donald Trump, Elon Musk, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Georgina Rodriguez, and several other figures, creating an instant online firestorm. Social media users quickly reacted to a now-viral selfie taken during the event, with many calling it “tone deaf” and raising concerns about the company some of the attendees keep.

Fans flooded platforms with comments targeting Ronaldo, with some users referring to him in quotation marks as a “rapist,” echoing previous allegations, while others highlighted Trump in similar terms. The combination of sports stars, tech moguls, and political figures at a single table sparked heated debates about accountability, influence, and public perception.

The dinner reportedly celebrated international achievements in sports and culture, but the optics overshadowed the occasion. Memes and commentary proliferated almost immediately after the selfie circulated online, with some comparing the gathering to a surreal Hollywood scene. Others criticised Ronaldo’s decision to attend, pointing out the controversial history surrounding multiple attendees.

Ronaldo, who has cultivated a meticulously curated public image, has not addressed the backlash, and neither have the organisers of the dinner. Social media commentary ranged from biting sarcasm to genuine concern, with threads dissecting every aspect of the photograph, from body language to who is seated where. Influencers and journalists alike shared the image, amplifying the debate and ensuring the event became a viral talking point well beyond the United States.

While the dinner aimed to highlight accomplishments and connections among some of the world’s most famous figures, the online conversation has largely focused on ethics, past allegations, and public responsibility. The viral selfie demonstrates how quickly high-profile appearances can ignite scrutiny, showing that celebrity presence at political events carries risks far beyond media coverage.