Trump Honors Tech Titans Musk, Brin, Huang with Top Science Medals

President Trump honored several prominent tech CEOs, including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang, with the National Medal of Science and Technology during a White House ceremony at the Institute for Peace. Trump praised the recipients for their contributions to what he called a "golden age" of American science and technology [1, 2].

Among those receiving the National Medal of Science were SpaceX's Elon Musk, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Dell CEO Michael Dell were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation [1, 2].

Trump lauded Musk as a "national treasure" and a "modern-day Thomas Edison," describing him as a "very, very special guy." The President also acknowledged Michael Dell and his wife Susan for their philanthropy ^[1].

During the event, Trump paid tribute to his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, an electrical engineer and physicist who received the National Medal of Science in 1983 from President Ronald Reagan. Trump was presented with his uncle's framed medal and certificate during the ceremony ^[1].

The event, dubbed the "Science: A New Golden Age Summit," aimed to highlight American scientific enterprise and address what the White House views as stagnating innovation. Vice President JD Vance also announced new policies impacting foreign worker green card programs just hours before the summit ^[2].

Several speakers at the summit, including Jensen Huang, emphasized the crucial role of immigrants in American scientific progress. Carnegie Mellon University president Farnam Jahanian highlighted the need for immigration policies that attract global talent to the U.S. ^[2].

The administration also announced new funding initiatives, including a pledge of approximately $2.4 billion in AI computing credits and scientific tools from leading AI companies for federal agencies. These efforts focus on areas like quantum algorithms, AI-driven laboratories, and nuclear engineering efficiency ^[2].

Officials at the event frequently used the term "super intelligence" (SI), preferred by the Trump administration, instead of "AI." Scientists like Nobel laureate John Martinis expressed excitement about the current pace of scientific advancement ^[2]. The story was first reported by New York Post and NBC News.