Trump Awards National Science Medals to Tech Leaders

President Donald Trump yesterday presented the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to several leading technology executives at an event the White House called the start of a "new golden age" for American science.

Medals and recipients

At the "Science Summit: A New Golden Age" held at the United States Institute of Peace, the president awarded the National Medal of Science to Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Jensen Huang and Lisa Su. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation went to Satya Nadella and Michael Dell. The White House presented each recipient with a medal and a certificate, and some family members later joined recipients on stage for photographs.

• National Medal of Science: Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Jensen Huang, Lisa Su
• National Medal of Technology and Innovation: Satya Nadella, Michael Dell

The article notes that the medal recipients were supporters of Trump in the previous U.S. election.

Event setting and White House remarks

The gathering included Trump, the award recipients, a group of government officials and prominent figures from the science community. The White House described the meeting as the beginning of a new golden age of American science. Trump told the audience, "We live in an age of American wonders and extraordinary technological achievements, and with the help of the brilliant men and women gathered here today, we will always be on top."

White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said in a statement, "The Trump administration appreciates the participation of these leading figures in the fields of science and technology. These recipients help ensure America's continued leadership in innovation around the world."

Immigration policy announcement and remarks on immigrants

The medal ceremony took place only hours after Vice President J.D. Vance announced that the administration had suspended Microsoft and several other companies from a program that allows foreign workers to apply for green cards. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella was among the guests at the event.

Despite the policy announcement, multiple speakers at the White House emphasized the importance of immigrants to America's scientific strength. Jensen Huang, who attended the ceremony with his parents, told NBC News, "I was an immigrant and my parents brought us here to pursue the American dream. This is a great honor and something that could only happen in America."