President Donald Trump renominated Jared Isaacman as head of NASA, months after abruptly withdrawing his nomination.
The president made the announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday, not mentioning his previous withdrawal of the nomination in May.
“This evening, I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, as Administrator of NASA,” he said. “Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era.”
Isaacman thanked Trump in a post on X, joining him in thanking interim NASA head Sean Duffy for his work running the agency in the meantime.
“The support from the space-loving community has been overwhelming. I am not sure how I earned the trust of so many, but I will do everything I can to live up to those expectations,” he said.
“To the innovators building the orbital economy, to the scientists pursuing breakthrough discoveries and to dreamers across the world eager for a return to the Moon and the grand journey beyond — these are the most exciting times since the dawn of the space age — and I truly believe the future we have all been waiting for will soon become reality,” Isaacson added.
The mutual praise expressed by the two appears to signal an end to any public bitterness between them. Trump’s decision to rescind Isaacson’s nomination in May was reportedly a central reason for the dramatic falling out between the president and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, in June, who has also since made up with Trump.
Musk reposted Trump’s statement announcing Isaacman’s nomination seemingly approvingly, leaving heart, rocketship, and American flag emojis.
The rescission of Isaacson’s nomination went largely without explanation, aside from vague references to prior associations and the lack of a common vision.
“The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump’s bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars. It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon,” White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston said in May in response to questions about the decision to withdraw his nomination.
WHITE HOUSE WITHDRAWS JARED ISAACMAN’S NOMINATION TO LEAD NASA
Trump was slightly more explicit, saying his decision came after learning of Isaacson’s past associations.
“After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he posted on Truth Social.
