Royal Society Suggests Elon Musk Resign Science Fellowship Amid Research Funding Cuts

The Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences, has suggested that Elon Musk consider resigning from his fellowship if he feels unable to address the extensive damage to American scientific research caused by the Trump administration. Musk, elected as a fellow in 2018 for his contributions to space and electric vehicle industries, has faced criticism due to his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has enacted significant research funding cuts and censorship in academia. Despite calls from fellows and scientists for action against Musk for alleged code of conduct violations, the Royal Society decided not to investigate him. Sir Paul Nurse, president-elect of the society, wrote multiple letters to Musk urging him to engage with US public sector scientists and help counteract the administration’s policies, but Musk largely did not respond beyond an initial reply affirming his commitment to science. Nurse ultimately suggested Musk reflect on whether he should continue as a fellow if he cannot contribute to reversing these negative impacts. The current president, Sir Adrian Smith, informed fellows that the correspondence and Musk’s limited responses would be shared with the fellowship, highlighting ongoing tensions within the scientific community over Musk’s involvement.