The Royal Society has privately asked Elon Musk to reassess his role as a Fellow, citing his response—or lack thereof—to ongoing scientific setbacks under the Trump administration X (formerly Twitter)+15The Guardian+15Nature+15.
Background
- Musk’s Fellowship: Awarded in 2018 to honour his groundbreaking work with electric vehicles and space technology, Musk holds a prestigious but ultimately symbolic position within the UK’s premier scientific academy Wikipedia+3The Guardian+3Inside Higher Ed+3.
- Calls for Pressure: Dozens of Society Fellows and thousands of scientists have criticised Musk’s public conduct—especially his silence amid US science budget cuts and alleged censorship—leaving many questioning how this aligns with the Society’s values Inside Higher Ed+4The Guardian+4Financial Times+4.
Royal Society’s Intervention
- Initial Contact: In March 2025, Sir Paul Nurse, the incoming Society President, emailed Musk to express concern over the “extensive damage” caused the US federal government’s science policy and requested his active involvement Yahoo+15The Guardian+15Science Media Centre+15.
- Follow-up and Ultimatum: A subsequent letter in late March pressed Musk to engage with US scientists and seek clarity. After no reply, another missive dated 20 May conveyed this message: if Musk could not support the Society’s mission, perhaps he should resign The Guardian.
Musk’s Response & Society’s Position
- Minimal Reaction: Musk only issued a brief reply after being informed that his correspondence would be shared with the Fellowship. He has neither accepted nor rejected the resignation suggestion The Guardian.
- Institutional Outcome: Despite internal divisions, Royal Society leadership decided against pursuing formal disciplinary measures, emphasising that defending science globally must take precedence Nature+15The Guardian+15Times Higher Education (THE)+15.
Wider Repercussions
- Protests and Resignations: With two Fellows having already resigned in protest and over 3,000 scientists signing an open letter, the Society’s inaction has prompted accusations of “cowardice” and ethical backsliding Financial Times+1The Atlantic+1.
- Award Returns: Notably, Andrea Sella returned his 2014 Faraday Prize in June 2025, decrying the Society’s failure to uphold its own standards Financial Times.
What This Means
- The Society is grappling with a dilemma: whether to discipline a high-profile member without setting a precedent of politicising their decisions.
- Critics argue that avoiding action, the Society risks compromising its integrity and sooner or later must choose between reputation and realpolitik.
- As of now, Musk remains listed as a Fellow, but his long-term standing may hinge on whether he steps up—or steps aside.
