What we learn about Trump yanking NASA nod from Musk ally Jared Isaacman, proprietor of largest non-public air pressure
President Trump on Saturday abruptly yanked his nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman — an ally of Elon Musk who based an organization that has the world’s largest non-public air pressure — to helm NASA days earlier than his anticipated Senate affirmation vote.
The surprising transfer got here in response to a “overview” of Isaacman’s historical past, in response to Trump, implying that his liberal report was guilty. However many outstanding conservatives, together with Musk, are standing by the rich entrepreneur.
“After a radical overview of prior associations, I’m hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to move NASA,” Trump wrote on Reality Social Saturday. “I’ll quickly announce a brand new Nominee who might be Mission aligned, and put America First in House.”
The precise causes behind the transfer are usually not fully identified. Trump has stood by key nominees comparable to Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth by way of numerous firestorms, and it isn’t clear that the billionaire would’ve lacked the votes.
Isaacman, 42, based cost processor Shift4 Funds and tactical fighter plane supplier Draken Worldwide, which has the world’s largest identified fleet of privately owned fighter jets.
The billionaire tech boss, who has been to area twice on treks that he funded, has extensively been seen as a detailed ally of Musk since buying an area flight through SpaceX in 2021. Isaacman was a part of SpaceX’s 2024 Polaris Daybreak crew that performed the primary non-public spacewalk.
SpaceX has constantly been amongst NASA’s largest contractors, a problem that got here up repeatedly throughout Isaacman’s Senate affirmation hearings in April.
Musk departed his function as a particular authorities worker final month and acquired a pleasant send-off from Trump within the Oval Workplace, with the White Home seemingly attempting to tamp down any conjecture that the 2 males clashed.
Trump handed Musk a golden key to honor him for his providers to the Trump administration and added that “Elon is basically not leaving,” predicting that the billionaire would stay useful.
The president rescinded Isaacman’s nomination to helm NASA at some point after Musk’s White Home farewell.
“It’s uncommon to search out somebody so competent and good-hearted,” Musk posted of Isaacman on X after the information broke.
Isaacman, whom Trump nominated to the coveted function in December, has a historical past of donating to Democrats going again over 15 years, in response to information from OpenSecrets.
This consists of donations to an excellent PAC aligned with Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY). However Isaacman has additionally given cash to Trump’s inaugural fund and to Republicans.
“It’s important that the subsequent chief of NASA is in full alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a alternative might be introduced immediately by President Trump quickly,” White Home spokeswoman Elizabeth Huston stated in a press release.
Trump has introduced on former Democrats and opponents into his administration, comparable to director of nationwide intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Well being and Human Providers Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Even his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, was as soon as a fierce 2016 GOP main adversary.
Rumors of the White Home’s plans to tug Isaacman’s nomination swirled not lengthy earlier than the announcement and drew backlash from some outstanding conservative voices.
“Astronaut and profitable businessman @RookIsaacman was a powerful alternative by President Trump to guide NASA. I used to be proud to introduce Jared at his listening to and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination,” Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mo.) stated earlier than Trump’s announcement.
Conservative pundit Benny Johnson claimed that he had a name with a “100% MAGA” Republican senator who informed him that “everyone seems to be shocked by this.”
Conservative character Laura Loomer, who generally has Trump’s ear, lashed out on the transfer, arguing that on advantage, and Isaacman’s “data of House, his credentials are unmatched.”
“There may be purpose to imagine that Isaacman could also be dealing with retaliation due to his friendship with @elonmusk. If that’s the case, this may recommend there’s a coordinated hit job on Isaacman in an effort to break ties between President Trump and Elon Musk earlier than the 2026 midterms,” she remarked.
“Is President Trump conscious of the ulterior motives by some people within the administration who’ve an curiosity in seeing Isaacman’s nomination pulled?”
Isaacman later expressed gratitude to Trump and people who supported his nomination.
“The previous six months have been enlightening and, truthfully, a bit thrilling. I’ve gained a a lot deeper appreciation for the complexities of presidency and the load our political leaders carry,” he stated.
“The President, NASA and the American individuals deserve the perfect–an Administrator able to reorganize, rebuild and rally one of the best and brightest minds to ship the world-changing headlines NASA was constructed to create.”
