Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks at Microsoft's Windows event in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday (local time). [AFP]
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks at Microsoft's Windows event in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday (local time). [AFP]

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk are among the leading figures in the US technology industry set to receive the country's highest honors.

According to Fox News, Donald Trump will host an event called "Science: A New Golden Age Summit" at the White House on Thursday (local time), where he will present the National Medal of Science to Musk, Huang, AMD CEO Lisa Su and Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The National Medal of Science is the highest honor in the United States for science and technology, and this marks the first time Trump has personally presented the award.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and xAI (right), stands alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House East Room on Sept. 29, answering reporters' questions following a luncheon with leaders from the AI industry. [Reuters]
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and xAI (right), stands alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House East Room on Sept. 29, answering reporters' questions following a luncheon with leaders from the AI industry. [Reuters]

White House Deputy Press Secretary Liz Huston said the Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of outstanding leaders in science and technology. "They are helping ensure that America continues to lead global innovation," she said.

Fox News said Musk's inclusion on the list of honorees signals that his relationship with Trump has been fully restored.

Musk backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election and built a close relationship with him, later heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump's election victory. The two had a major falling-out in June last year over a tax-cut bill, leading Musk to leave DOGE, and their relationship deteriorated to the point of public exchanges on social media.

Speculation about a reconciliation arose when Musk attended a welcoming dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the prince's US visit in November last year. Observers said the relationship had been fully repaired after Musk accompanied Trump on a visit to China in May and attended a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping's US visit last month.


kate01@heraldcorp.com