Washington: US President Donald Trump is set to honour Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and several other technology leaders with the country's highest awards for scientific and technological achievement at the White House on Thursday, in a ceremony that also highlights the billionaire's renewed ties with the president.

Musk will receive the National Medal of Science alongside Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su, according to Fox News Digital.

Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The awards will be presented during the White House's "Science: A New Golden Age Summit", which will bring together scientists and technology leaders to discuss how emerging technologies, superintelligence and private-sector investment could accelerate scientific breakthroughs and strengthen US leadership in the sector.

"The Trump administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology. These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation," White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Fox News Digital.

The ceremony will be Trump's first presentation of either the National Medal of Science or the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during his two administrations.

From public feud to White House honour: Musk and Trump patch things up

Musk's award comes after a dramatic fallout with Trump last year and marks another sign of the two men's renewed relationship.

The rift began after Musk left the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and criticised Trump's flagship tax-and-spending legislation as a "disgusting abomination".

The disagreement soon turned into a public feud, with Trump threatening to terminate government contracts involving Musk's companies.

The relationship has since improved. Musk recently joined Trump for a lunch with technology leaders and was also present during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, according to Fox News.

Musk has also returned to an advisory role in the Trump administration. He is co-leading the Pentagon's Project Meridian, which is examining the future of warfare and the weapons and technologies the US military will need to maintain its technological advantage.

Why is Musk receiving the National Medal of Science?

The National Medal of Science was created by the US Congress in 1959 and is the highest honour the United States can confer on scientists and engineers.

The presidential award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, social and behavioural sciences in service of the country.

Its areas of recognition include astronomy, chemistry, computer and information science, engineering, geoscience, materials research and STEM education.

A committee of distinguished scientists and engineers appointed by the president evaluates candidates before the awards are presented at a White House ceremony.

Since its establishment, the National Medal of Science has been awarded to 529 scientists and engineers whose careers have included decades of research and development.

The honour also carries a personal connection for Trump.

His uncle, John G Trump, was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Science by then-President Ronald Reagan for pioneering work involving ionising radiation and its applications in medicine, industry and atomic physics.

The White House summit is expected to focus on scientific innovation, emerging technologies and private-sector investment, with discussions centred on how the US can maintain its global leadership in science and technology.

Musk's recognition, meanwhile, adds another notable chapter to his relationship with Trump after a highly publicised political and personal rupture followed by a rapprochement.