Elon Musk’s Controversial Political Conduct Threatens His Membership in the Royal Society

Chalkboard vote choice, "no" checked, American flag visible.

Elon Musk’s membership in the Royal Society hangs by a thread as over 2,700 scientists demand action against his controversial conduct.

Key Insights

The Royal Society will meet on March 3 to discuss principles regarding Fellows’ public behavior, prompted by Musk controversy.
An open letter signed by 2,700+ scientists questions Musk’s membership due to his promotion of conspiracy theories.
No fellow has been expelled from the Royal Society in over 150 years, making this a potentially historic decision.
The society faces a challenge in balancing scientific integrity with intellectual freedom.
Expulsion could have significant implications for Musk’s reputation and the Royal Society’s standing.

Scientists Rally Against Musk’s Royal Society Membership

The Royal Society, the UK’s oldest and most prestigious scientific academy, finds itself at a crossroads. On March 3, the institution will convene to discuss the public conduct of its Fellows, a meeting prompted by growing controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s membership. This development comes as more than 2,700 scientists have signed an open letter questioning Musk’s continued association with the esteemed body.

The letter, penned by Professor Stephen Curry of Imperial College London, expresses dismay at the society’s perceived inaction regarding Musk’s fellowship. Curry’s concerns stem from Musk’s online behavior and promotion of what many consider unfounded conspiracy theories.

Elon Musk might become the first Royal Society member in over 150 years to be expelled quite an achievement . Turns out, spewing nonsense and fueling division isn’t the kind of “innovation” the 365-year-old institution values. Who knew that being an attention-hungry billionaire…

— 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕥🌴Siegien 🐦📷 (@margaretsiegien) February 18, 2025

Historical Significance and Potential Consequences

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. No fellow has been expelled from the Royal Society in over 150 years, with the last expulsion being Rudolf Eric Raspe for fraud. Should the society decide to revoke Musk’s fellowship, it would mark a historic moment for an institution that has counted luminaries such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein among its members.

“I am at a loss to understand how these actions are consistent with a code of conduct that requires fellows to have ‘due regard for the statement of values developed from time to time by Society'” – Professor Stephen Curry

The potential expulsion of Musk raises questions about the balance between scientific achievement and personal conduct. Musk became a Fellow in 2018 for his work with Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. However, his public image has shifted significantly since then, becoming more politically charged and controversial.

Divided Opinions and Broader Implications

Opinions within the scientific community are divided. While many support the call for Musk’s expulsion, citing his alleged undermining of scientific consensus and spread of misinformation, others caution against setting a precedent that could be seen as challenging intellectual freedom.

“I don’t like what Musk is doing — it’s reprehensible. But I also think he’s an astounding person in terms of what he has contributed to engineering.” – Anonymous fellow

The Royal Society’s president, Sir Adrian Smith, has acknowledged the concerns about fellows’ public behaviors but warned against the society making judgments on views or affiliations, especially those that might be political. This stance highlights the delicate balance the institution must strike between upholding scientific integrity and avoiding the perception of political bias.

Potential Ripple Effects

The outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching consequences. An expulsion might damage Musk’s reputation and potentially affect investor confidence in his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX. Conversely, retaining Musk’s fellowship in the face of widespread protest could tarnish the Royal Society’s standing in the scientific community.

Furthermore, this situation may set new benchmarks for ethical standards in scientific institutions and influence the relationship between these bodies and their members. As the debate unfolds, it will undoubtedly spark further discussions on the intersection of scientific achievement, personal conduct, and public responsibility.