Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has managed to hold on to his prestigious fellowship with the Royal Society, despite a growing chorus of critics within the scientific community. While some celebrated Musk’s appointment in 2018, a handful of high-profile figures and over 3,400 scientists have raised concerns about his behavior, calling for the Royal Society to reconsider his membership. But for now, the fellowship remains intact.
The issue came to a head during a recent meeting of the Royal Society’s fellowship, where members discussed Musk’s conduct. Despite the turmoil surrounding his actions, the Society opted not to take any immediate disciplinary measures. The situation has sparked heated debates, particularly in the US scientific community, where many are questioning whether the Society is adhering to its own code of conduct.
The growing discontent among scientists
In recent months, the anger over Musk’s behavior has escalated, leading to the resignation of two distinguished scientists from the Royal Society. More than 3,400 members of the scientific community have signed an open letter demanding action. As reported by The Guardian, Stephen Curry, an emeritus professor at Imperial College London, spearheaded the letter, which expresses deep concern about Musk’s behavior and its alignment with the Society’s values.
Musk’s controversial remarks and actions have only amplified the tensions. His recent comments, such as calling British MP Jess Phillips a “rape genocide apologist,” have drawn sharp criticism from within the scientific and political arenas. Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, a fellow of the Royal Society, expressed his support for Musk’s expulsion, stating on social media that Musk’s actions were doing “huge damage to scientific institutions in the US” Hinton further added,”I think Elon Musk should be expelled from the British Royal Society… Let’s see if he really believes in free speech,” as shared on X.
What did the Royal Society say?
Despite the mounting pressure, the Royal Society has yet to revoke Musk’s fellowship. The Society’s most recent statement, as reported by The Guardian, emphasized that the fellowship meeting on March 3, 2025, was primarily focused on the broader challenges facing science today, including the “threats of radical cutbacks in research funding” in the US rather than addressing individual cases, the Society urged fellows to unite in defending science globally.
No official word was given on Musk’s membership, but the Royal Society did acknowledge that concerns about behavior, particularly those related to public statements, must be addressed according to its code of conduct.
Is Musk untouchable?
The question remains: will the Royal Society take a stronger stance in the future? Curry has expressed doubts, stating that the Society’s failure to act could diminish its credibility. As the debate over Musk’s role continues, many are watching closely to see if the Royal Society will take a firmer stand or allow the issue to fade into the background. As quoted by The Guardian, Curry noted, “It’s still not clear whether they stand by their code of conduct or whether they feel that they are ever going to enforce it.”
In a world where science faces unprecedented challenges, one thing is certain: Musk’s controversial fellowship will remain a topic of heated discussion for the foreseeable future.
