NASA: Donald Trump dismisses a relative of Elon Musk to lead the space agency
On his social network, Donald Trump justifies this turnaround by a “In -depth examination of previous associations” of the former manager of Shift4 Payments. No more precision on the part of the White House to explain this sudden decision.
NASA in a difficult situation, without leadership
While Donald Trump saber the NASA budgetJared Isaacman was appointed, last December, to take over the management of NASA and manage his budget of $ 25 billion.
Jared Isaacman has invested several hundred million personal dollars in two space trips from SpaceX to the Polaris program. Private missions that have shown its commitment to space exploration and its ability to finance ambitious projects.
Donald Trump’s decision occurs in a particular context, a few days after the end of Elon Musk’s mandate to Doge’s management. THE mixed assessment From this government experience may have influenced the president.
Elon Musk reacted publicly to the withdrawal of the candidacy of Jared Isaacman on X by declaring that he is “Rare to find someone so competent and benevolent” that his friend. During a hearing Before the Senate last Aprilthe former director of Shift4 Payments had shared his vision for the future of NASA. The man wanted to continue the Lunar Program Artemis but also the Martian conquest projects defended by Elon Musk.
The senators had welcomed this approach between lunar exploration and Martian ambitions. The withdrawal of this appointment plunges NASA into uncertainty at a critical time: the space agency and its 18,000 employees are already facing significant budgetary reductions. The absence of leadership aggravates this delicate situation.
However, Donald Trump undertakes to announce a new candidate shortly to prevent the position from staying for too long vacant. According to three close sources, the name of Steven Kwast, retired general, is mentioned. He is a former air force official, a fervent support of the president and promoter of the American space force. Steven Kwast’s profile is very far from that of Jared Isaamman, more entrepreneurial.
