WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump presented billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk with the National Medal of Science on October 8, praising his contributions to engineering, space exploration and advanced technology.
The ceremony took place at the US Institute of Peace during the Science: A New Golden Age summit. The event highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen American leadership in scientific research, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering.
Trump described Musk as a brilliant engineer whose work had helped turn ideas once considered science fiction into reality. He also compared the entrepreneur to Thomas Edison, recognising his influence across several technology sectors.
Six Technology Leaders Receive National Honours
Musk was among six prominent technology figures recognised at the ceremony.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su also received the National Medal of Science.
Meanwhile, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, a separate honour recognising achievements in technology and innovation.
The awards recognised contributions spanning semiconductor design, computing, engineering, communications, artificial intelligence and space technology.
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AI and Advanced Engineering Take Centre Stage
The summit placed scientific innovation at the centre of the administration’s technology agenda.
The White House said its broader initiatives involved more than $6 billion in planned investments across government, industry, academia and philanthropy. The programme aims to accelerate scientific discovery and strengthen the United States’ position in emerging technologies.
The administration has also emphasised artificial intelligence as a tool for scientific research and economic development. Technology companies are expected to play a major role in these efforts through computing infrastructure, advanced chips and AI systems.
Trump and Musk Renew Technology Ties
The ceremony also underscored the renewed working relationship between Trump and Musk following their public disagreements in 2025.
Musk leads SpaceX and Tesla, companies involved in space transportation, electric vehicles, communications and autonomous technology. His work has made him a prominent figure in debates over America’s technological competitiveness.
The recognition reflects the administration’s emphasis on private-sector innovation as a driver of scientific and industrial progress.
The event brought together major technology leaders at a time when governments and companies are competing to advance artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing and other strategic technologies.
