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President Donald Trump is expected to present the National Medal of Science to Elon Musk and three other technology leaders at a White House event on Thursday, October 8, according to Fox News reporting cited by Reuters. The ceremony is part of a summit called “Science: A New Golden Age,” and would be Trump’s first time presenting either of the two national honors during his presidencies.
Musk, chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, is among four people slated to receive the science medal. The planned recognition comes as the entrepreneur has re-established contact with Trump following a public falling-out last year. The White House had not, in the reporting available on Wednesday, published a formal award announcement or detailed the individual citations.
Six technology executives named for two honors
Fox News reported that the National Medal of Science would go to Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Dell Technologies chief Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are expected to receive the separate National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The awards recognize distinct forms of achievement: the science medal honors contributions to scientific knowledge, while the technology medal recognizes technological innovation. The ceremony is scheduled as part of a White House summit bringing scientists and technology executives together to discuss artificial intelligence, including the prospect of “superintelligence,” and private-sector investment in research.
White House describes honorees as innovators
White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News that the administration was grateful for the recipients’ contributions and said they were helping the United States maintain its position in innovation. The administration did not, in the report, provide individual explanations for selecting the six executives or specify the work cited for each award.
The National Medal of Science is a federal honor presented by the president. It has historically recognized achievements across scientific fields; the National Science Foundation’s recipient records, for example, identify past honorees and the work for which they were recognized. The announced lineup stands out for including leaders of major technology companies alongside individuals traditionally associated with academic or research institutions.
Musk’s relationship with Trump has shifted
The expected award follows a period of sharp public tension between Trump and Musk. Fox News reported that their split followed Musk’s departure from the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency effort and his criticism of Trump’s signature tax-and-spending legislation. Trump had also threatened Musk’s government contracts during the dispute, according to the report.
The two have since renewed contact. Fox News said Musk had appeared with Trump at a recent lunch for technology leaders and was present during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit. It also reported that Musk had returned to an advisory role co-leading the Pentagon’s Project Meridian, described as a study of future warfare and military technology needs.
Thursday’s ceremony is the next scheduled step
The White House summit and planned presentation are scheduled for Thursday, October 8. The award plan was reported by Fox News and relayed by Reuters on Wednesday, October 7; the available reports do not establish that the medals have already been presented.
Trump also has a family connection to the science medal: Fox News reported that his uncle, John G. Trump, received it posthumously from President Ronald Reagan for work involving ionizing radiation and its applications. The reports did not provide further details about the ceremony’s agenda, the specific award citations, or whether the honorees would attend in person.
