Trump likens Musk to Thomas Edison, hails his contribution to US interests

Washington: US President Donald Trump has likened billionaire Elon Musk to famed inventor Thomas Edison, describing him as a “national treasure” whose work has strengthened America’s technological and strategic capabilities.

Trump made the remarks while presenting Musk with the National Medal of Science at the New Golden Age Summit on Thursday. During the ceremony, he praised the entrepreneur’s contributions to space exploration, satellite communications, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and medical technology.

“Few Americans in history have done more to advance America’s national interest than Elon,” Trump said, adding that Musk’s “genius and determination” had turned science fiction into reality.

The President credited Musk’s space company, SpaceX, with reshaping the economics of space travel since its establishment in 2002. He said the company’s privately developed rockets had helped reduce the US’ reliance on foreign countries to carry astronauts into space.

Trump also referred to what he called the successful return of SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission from the International Space Station, which took place hours before the award ceremony.

“SpaceX saved NASA from relying on foreign nations to send our astronauts into space,” he said.

The President further highlighted SpaceX’s Starship programme, which aims to develop a large, rapidly reusable rocket, and Starlink, the company’s satellite-based communications service.

Recalling the impact of a hurricane in North Carolina, Trump said Starlink had helped re-establish communication links for communities cut off by floodwaters. He said residents stranded in the disaster zone had been unable to contact emergency services, prompting him to seek Musk’s assistance.

According to Trump, Starlink equipment reached the affected area within hours despite transportation and logistical challenges.

“I never forgot that experience. It was a terrible time, and the job he did — he acted so fast,” Trump said.

Trump claimed that the intervention helped save hundreds of lives, although the figure was not independently verified in the summit transcript.

He also spoke about Musk’s role in the automobile sector through Tesla and his work at Neuralink, which is developing brain-computer interface technology. Trump said the company was working on systems that could eventually help restore sight, speech and movement for people with severe disabilities.

The President also mentioned his family’s earlier connection with Nikola Tesla. He said his uncle, Dr John Trump, who taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for several years, had been asked by the US government to examine Tesla’s scientific work.

Trump said his uncle had determined that Tesla was a genuine scientific genius.

Describing Musk’s work in artificial intelligence as part of a wider effort to maintain US leadership in advanced technologies, Trump concluded his tribute by calling him a “modern-day Thomas Edison”.

“Elon, I wanna congratulate you, you’re my friend and all of that, but you are a very, very special guy,” Trump said.

The National Medal of Science is one of the US’ top honours for scientific achievement. Musk was recognised for engineering work in space exploration, communications, intelligence systems and manufacturing.

His companies are active in several strategically important sectors, including space launches, electric vehicles, satellite internet and artificial intelligence. SpaceX is a major NASA partner, while Starlink provides satellite-based internet access in several regions worldwide.

(Inputs from IANS)