"A Twist in Space Race" Trump Aborts Jared Isaacman's Nasa Gig, Sheds Light on Past Connections
Trump reportedly contradicts plans of appointing Musk's ally as NASA's chief executive.
In a surprising move, Donald Trump has tossed Jared Isaacman's nomination for Nasa chief, the guy pals with tech tycoon Elon Musk, into the bin. The former president announced Trump Social that he's junked the candidate following a thorough rundown of their past ties. Expect a fresh face to steer Nasa's space expedition soon.
Trump initially tagged Isaacman as the successor to outgoing Nasa head Bill Nelson when he assumed office in January. Speculation buzzed about the confirmation by the US Senate, but that's all history now. Musk felt the sting, tweeting, "Finding someone as adept and humane is rare."
Trump praised Isaacman back in December, terming him a perfect fit for guiding Nasa into a new cosmic age. Isaacman himself shared his disappointing exit on social media, saying he's eternally grateful for the opportunity and will back Trump and Nasa as they set the space course for humanity's monumental journey.
Isaacman, a frequent SpaceX collaborator, made a splash with two private space ventures. In 2021, he was part of the first all-civilian crew spiraling Earth for nearly three days alongside three other astronauts. His most recent space escapade in September 2024 involved floating around 1400 kilometers high alongside three other tourists, even exiting their spacecraft briefly.
Trump's decision came amid Musk stepping down as the administration's cost-trimming compatriot following weeks of tension. The New York Times claims Trump's personnel decision could also stem from reduced Musk influence in the government. Plus, reports suggest Isaacman had previously dropped cash on Democrat party donations, angering the Republican gang.
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[1] ntv.de, (Date of Publication not provided)
[2] lme/dpa, (Date of Publication not provided)
- Elon Musk
- Donald Trump
- Nasa
- SpaceX
I'm not going to be a big fan of the idea of a "space" race dominated by political maneuvers and general-news headlines. Donald Trump's recent decision to abort Jared Isaacman's nomination for Nasa chief, a move influenced by past connections and political affiliations, seems to be a stark reminder of the blurred line between space exploration and spatial politics.
