President Trump awards Big Tech donors with nation’s highest science prizes
President Trump awarded the National Medal of Science to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, Advanced Micro Devices President and CEO Lisa Su, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace. The event honored technology leaders, five of whom are immigrants, just hours after criticism from political figures regarding foreign tech labor. Critics and reports note the recipients include major financial donors to efforts tied to Trump.
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- ✓ President Trump awarded national medals to six tech executives during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace on October 8, 2026.
- ✓ The recipients included Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, Michael Dell, Lisa Su, Jensen Huang, and Sergey Brin.
- ✓ The National Medal of Science is annually given to scientists and engineers for major contributions in their fields.
What changed
President Trump awarded the nation's highest science honors to a group of prominent technology executives and major political donors.
Live updates
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Trump Awards National Medals of Science to Tech Executives
President Trump awarded the National Medal of Science to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, Advanced Micro Devices President and CEO Lisa Su, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace. The event honored technology leaders, five of whom are immigrants, just hours after criticism from political figures regarding foreign tech labor. Critics and reports note the recipients include major financial donors to efforts tied to Trump.
Why it matters
The National Medal of Science is traditionally given to scientists and engineers for major contributions in their fields, making the recognition of corporate executives and major donors a departure from typical honorees. The ceremony took place at the Institute of Peace during an event dubbed the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit. The awards arrived amid concurrent political discussions regarding foreign tech workers and immigration programs.
What is confirmed
- President Trump awarded national medals to six tech executives during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace on October 8, 2026.
- The recipients included Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, Michael Dell, Lisa Su, Jensen Huang, and Sergey Brin.
- The National Medal of Science is annually given to scientists and engineers for major contributions in their fields.
Still unconfirmed
- Together, the awardees have donated nearly $6 billion to efforts tied to Trump and his administration.
What to watch next
- Reactions from scientific organizations regarding the selection of corporate executives for science medals
- Further policy developments concerning Microsoft's PERM program and immigrant tech labor
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (19)
- michaelmann.net — Curriculum Vitae | Michael E. Mann
- Fox News — FIRST ON FOX: Elon Musk heads back to White House as Trump marks prestigious first of presidency
- CNBC — Trump awarding medals to Musk, Dell, Nadella and other tech execs at science summit
- The Hill — Trump to award National Medal of Science to Elon Musk
- Al Jazeera — Trump gives top US science awards to Elon Musk and other tech executives
- NBC News — Trump awards Musk and other tech titans National Medals of Science
- The Guardian — Trump hosts awards party for tech billionaires, almost as if he doesn’t care about ordinary Americans
- TechCrunch — President Trump awards Big Tech donors with nation’s highest science prizes
- Forbes — Trump Awards Elon Musk National Medal Of Science (Photos)
- newrepublic.com — Trump Awards Medals to Six of His Biggest Donors of All Time | The New Republic
- Yahoo — Trump gives 'national treasure' Musk top US medal after rift
- Yahoo — Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Trump for Giving Top Science Medal to ‘Owner’ Elon Musk — Who ‘Bulldozed’ NIH
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