Elon Musk is heading back to the White House as President Donald Trump prepares to hand out some of the nation’s highest honors in science and technology for the first time in either of his administrations.
Musk will be among several major technology figures recognized Thursday during the White House’s “Science: A New Golden Age” summit.
Trump is expected to award Musk the National Medal of Science.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su are also set to receive the same honor.
Meanwhile, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
“The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said.
“These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation.”
The ceremony will mark the first time Trump has presented either the National Medal of Science or the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
That makes Thursday’s event a first for his presidency.
The summit is expected to bring together top scientists, business leaders and technology executives to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, advanced computing and private-sector investment.
The White House says the goal is to accelerate scientific breakthroughs while strengthening America’s position in global technology.
Musk’s appearance carries another layer of significance because of his turbulent relationship with Trump.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO previously played a major role in the administration through DOGE before leaving government.
The relationship later deteriorated after Musk publicly attacked Trump’s signature tax-and-spending package.
Musk called the legislation a “disgusting abomination,” setting off a very public feud.
Trump responded by threatening Musk’s government contracts.
For a period, the relationship between the two appeared badly damaged.
That has changed in recent months.
Musk has once again begun appearing alongside Trump at major technology events.
He attended a recent lunch with technology leaders and was also present during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.
Trump has also publicly softened his tone toward Musk.
The president recently said he likes the billionaire “a lot.”
Musk has since returned to an advisory role in the administration.
He is now co-leading the Pentagon’s Project Meridian, which focuses on the future of warfare and the technologies the U.S. military may need to maintain an advantage over its rivals, per Fox News.
Thursday’s medal ceremony now places Musk even more firmly back inside Trump’s orbit.
The award will also put him alongside some of the biggest names in American technology.
Brin helped build Google into one of the world’s most powerful technology companies.
Huang has become one of the most important figures in artificial intelligence through Nvidia.
Su has overseen AMD’s rise as a major semiconductor competitor.
Dell and Nadella, meanwhile, continue to lead two of the largest technology companies in the country.
The ceremony also has a personal connection for Trump.
His uncle, John G. Trump, received the National Medal of Science from President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
John Trump was recognized for his work involving ionizing radiation and its applications in medicine, industry and atomic physics.
Now, decades later, Trump will personally present the same honor to some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders.
For Musk, the moment also represents another dramatic turn in his relationship with the president.
After leaving the administration, publicly feuding with Trump and criticizing one of his signature bills, Musk is now returning to the White House to receive one of the nation’s most prestigious scientific honors directly from him.
