Trump Withdraws Jared Isaacman’s NASA Nomination

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    Trump cancels Peace Call - Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

    WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has announced that he is retracting the nomination of tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, who is noted for his association with Trump adviser Elon Musk, was initially selected by Trump for the position. The president cited a “thorough review” of Isaacman’s “prior associations” as the reason for his decision, though he did not elaborate further and the White House declined to provide additional details.

    Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, stating, “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 committed to putting America first in space.”

    Acknowledging Trump’s decision, Isaacman expressed gratitude towards the President and the Senate, sharing on X that the past six months had been both enlightening and thrilling. He commended the dedication of those he encountered, saying, “There are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission.” He also remarked on the cooperation displayed during his hearing, noting the bipartisan support for NASA.

    Isaacman had been nominated to become NASA’s next administrator during the presidential transition in December. Aged 42, Isaacman is the CEO and founder of Shift4, a company specializing in credit card processing. His ties to Musk began with his first booked flight on SpaceX in 2021. He also spearheaded the first private spacewalk, aligning him closely with Musk’s ventures. SpaceX, Musk’s company, holds significant contracts with NASA.

    Isaacman’s nomination had cleared the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in late April, and a full Senate vote was anticipated soon. Following the news of Trump’s withdrawal, Musk expressed his disappointment on X, saying, “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted.”

    Musk, a notable contributor to Trump’s campaign and former government adviser, recently announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-established agency tasked with streamlining government operations.

    The initial report of the White House’s decision to retract Isaacman’s nomination was made by Semafor.