Trump to Honour Elon Musk With US National Medal of Science at White House

US President Donald Trump is set to present billionaire Elon Musk with the National Medal of Science on Thursday, marking one of the highest honours the United States gives to scientists and engineers.

Musk will receive the award alongside Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su at a White House summit titled “Science: A New Golden Age.”

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation will also be presented to Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella during the event.

According to reports, it will be the first time Trump has presented either of the two national medals during either of his presidential terms.

The ceremony comes despite the highly publicised falling-out between Trump and Musk. Musk previously played a prominent role in the administration’s effort to reduce the federal workforce before his relationship with the president deteriorated.

Musk was also one of Trump’s major financial backers during the 2024 presidential campaign, reportedly contributing more than $290 million. Other recipients have similarly supported Trump or Republican causes in various ways.

White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said the honourees were helping maintain America’s position in global innovation.

“These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation,” Huston said.

Brin donated to the Republican National Committee in 2025 and attended Trump’s second inauguration, while Dell and his wife, Susan, pledged $6.25 billion to the Trump Accounts programme. Nvidia has also said it would match the US Treasury’s $1,000 contributions for its employees.

The awards ceremony brings together some of America’s most prominent technology and science executives, while Musk’s inclusion adds another dimension because of his previous political alliance and subsequent public dispute with Trump.