October 10, 2026
Today, Thursday, US President Donald Trump is expected to award billionaire Elon Musk the National Medal of Science, in a move that confirms the return of the head of Tesla, SpaceX and X to the circle of those close to the US administration, according to what Fox News reported from informed sources.
These developments come after a remarkable rapprochement between the two men during the 2024 presidential elections, which culminated in Musk joining the administration to head the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) with the aim of reducing federal spending. However, Musk left his position in May 2025, only four months after assuming his duties, following sharp disagreements with Trump regarding the budget bill known as “the one big, beautiful bill.”
The escalation reached its peak in June 2025, when Musk attacked the project on the “X” platform, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and demanding “dismissal of the bill.” In response, Trump expressed his annoyance with Musk, noting that he had become “mad” as a result of the administration’s retreat from the electric vehicle mandate dating back to the era of the Joe Biden administration. On the other hand, Musk claimed that Trump would not have won the 2024 elections without his financial support amounting to about $300 million through the American Political Action Committee, accusing him of “ungratefulness” and making hints about the Epstein files without providing evidence, which then led to his removal from the White House and the vacation of his office.
The intensity of the dispute extended to include public positions and calls for escalation, as Trump’s former advisor in his first term, Steve Bannon, urged, in statements to the New York Times and his program “Bannon’s War Room,” to open an investigation into Musk’s legal status and deport him, claiming that he had worked illegally before obtaining citizenship, and described him as a “bad and incompetent person.” On the other hand, Musk hinted at the possibility of establishing a third political party that represents “80% of the middle class,” amid reports of efforts to finance appeals against Republicans who support the budget law.
Despite these heated political and media confrontations, recent developments indicate bridging the gap between the two parties. A current Trump administration official denied Musk’s complete removal, confirming his recent appearance at the White House thanks to his fulfillment of financial commitments to support Republican candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. This rapprochement was evident in Musk’s participation in official events in recent weeks, including the launch of a new government website and a dinner held in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he sat at the president’s table.
Commenting on the awarding of the upcoming award, White House spokeswoman Liz Houston told Fox News that the administration is grateful for the outstanding contributions made by thought leaders in the fields of science and technology, stressing that these honorees contribute to ensuring the continued global leadership of the United States in the field of innovation.
