Science Medal, Starlink Setback

Elon Musk is getting the nation’s highest science honor from President Trump, joining tech titans like Sergey Brin and Lisa Su at a “New Golden Age” summit. It’s more than just a medal—Musk is quietly moving back into the White House’s inner policy circles, helping to steer big conversations about AI, space, and communications. This pivot marks a major reset after last year’s much-publicized government rift, setting Musk and SpaceX up as key figures in U.S. science and innovation.

But here’s the catch: while D.C. is rolling out the red carpet, India is putting up roadblocks. After Musk slammed “oligarch” interference, Indian officials pushed back, signaling no fast track for Starlink’s satellite internet licenses. That’s a blow, since India’s huge market is critical for Starlink’s global growth and bottom line. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s valuation soared past $1 trillion again, driven by Starlink’s new airline deals—like United snatching at Delta’s business over in-flight Wi-Fi supremacy. U.S. markets are hot on Musk, but global expansion is hitting turbulence.

Based on reporting from Reuters, Fortune, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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