On October 8, 2026, US President Donald Trump honored Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk with the National Medal of Science at the White House's 'Science: A New Golden Age Summit'. Trump praised Musk as a 'national treasure' and 'modern-day Thomas Edison' for his contributions to space exploration, technology, and innovation. The award recognizes Musk's engineering achievements of extraordinary ambition and scale that have pushed the frontiers of space exploration, intelligent systems, communications, and beyond.
Trump highlighted Musk's work through SpaceX, saying the company had helped advance America's space program and congratulated it on the safe return of Crew-12 from the International Space Station. He also praised SpaceX's development of Starship and Starlink, recalling an incident in North Carolina where Starlink helped provide communications during a hurricane and contributed to saving hundreds of lives. Trump described Musk as "an industrial titan, a brilliant engineer, and one of the greatest technology founders to ever live".
The US president also credited Musk's role in creating Tesla, calling it "the first successful new car manufacturer in over 75 years" and crediting the company with producing commercially viable electric cars and consumer self-driving technology. Trump then recalled the work of his uncle, Dr John Trump, who was commissioned by the US government to assess the work of inventor Nikola Tesla. Musk's award also comes after his relationship with Trump underwent a public rupture last year following Musk's departure from the Department of Government Efficiency.
Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said Musk received the National Medal of Science for his engineering achievements that have pushed the frontiers of space exploration, intelligent systems, communications, and beyond. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, or social and behavioral sciences in service to the nation. A committee of distinguished scientists and engineers appointed by the US president evaluates nominees for the award.
The National Medal of Science was also awarded to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and AMD CEO Lisa Su. Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The ceremony marked Trump's first time presenting the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during either of his presidential administrations.
The awards were presented as part of the White House's "Science: A New Golden Age Summit", which brought together leading scientists and technology innovators to discuss scientific breakthroughs, superintelligence, and private-sector investment. Musk has also returned to an advisory role in the administration, co-leading the Pentagon's Project Meridian, which studies the future of warfare and the weapons and technologies needed to maintain US military technological superiority.
The National Medal of Science was established by the US Congress in 1959 and is the nation's highest recognition for scientists and engineers. Musk's contributions to Neuralink and superintelligence were also highlighted, as he works to restore sight, speech, and motion to people who could not see, talk, or move. With this award, Trump recognized Musk's groundbreaking achievements and contributions to American innovation and technological leadership.
Key points
- Trump awards Elon Musk the National Medal of Science, praising him as a 'national treasure' and 'modern-day Thomas Edison'.
- The award recognizes Musk's engineering achievements in space exploration, intelligent systems, and communications.
- The ceremony marked Trump's first time presenting the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during his presidential administrations.
