Former President Donald Trump is set to award the National Medal of Science, the highest scientific honor in the United States, to Elon Musk and several other prominent technology leaders. The announcement was made by the White House on October 7, ahead of the conference titled "Science: The New Golden Age," scheduled for October 8 in Washington.

The National Medal of Science is a prestigious award given by the U.S. President to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and behavioral sciences. Established by Congress in 1959, the medal honors outstanding scientists and engineers, affirming America's leading position in the global scientific community.

In addition to Musk, co-founder of Google Sergei Brin, CEO of Nvidia Jensen Huang, and CEO of AMD Lisa Su will also receive the National Medal of Science. Meanwhile, billionaire Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will be awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, which recognizes American inventors and innovators who have made substantial contributions to the development of critical new technologies.

White House spokesperson Liz Huston stated, "The Trump administration acknowledges the contributions of these outstanding leaders in science and technology. They are helping to ensure that America continues to lead the world in innovation." Musk, the head of SpaceX and Tesla, has regained Trump's trust after a period of discord last year regarding his role in leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut costs. He is also the largest donor to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.

Both Musk and Huang attended a state dinner hosted by Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping last month. Along with other tech leaders, they participated in a discussion at the White House the previous week, where tech moguls committed to self-regulation to mitigate potential risks from artificial intelligence (AI). Trump has consistently dismissed warnings that AI could pose existential threats, asserting that it is a key factor for the "Golden Age" of the American economy.

However, the Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, as voters express increasing concern over the conflict in Iran and the burden of living costs.