In a twist that could rival a soap opera, President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to pull Jared Isaacman as his nominee for NASA administrator has sparked a fiery feud with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The move came just a day after the White House celebrated Musk’s contributions as the outgoing head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), raising eyebrows and questions about the real reasons behind the snub.

Isaacman, a commercial astronaut and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has deep ties to Musk, having led SpaceX’s historic all-civilian Inspiration4 mission in 2021. Trump cited a “thorough review of prior associations” for withdrawing Isaacman’s nomination, hinting at discomfort with his Democratic donations and Musk’s influence. Yet, Isaacman, who identifies as right-leaning, suggested on the All-In Podcast that his connection to Musk, not his political past, was the likely trigger—especially since the decision coincided with Musk’s DOGE exit on May 30.

The drama didn’t stop there. Tensions escalated when Musk publicly slammed Trump’s massive tax and spending package, dubbing it a “disgusting abomination” on X after initially expressing milder concerns. Trump fired back, accusing Musk of “Trump derangement syndrome” and claiming he was upset over cuts to electric vehicle tax credits that benefit Tesla. In a heated Oval Office exchange, Trump doubled down, saying Musk “knew everything” about the bill but flipped his stance when EV subsidies were threatened.

The fallout has been nothing short of cosmic. Musk claimed he was never shown the bill and even credited himself for Trump’s 2024 election win, while Trump dismissed Musk’s antics, saying he’s “wearing thin” and won’t be speaking to him anytime soon. Despite the chaos, the White House insists DOGE’s mission to curb government waste will continue under Trump’s oversight until its planned closure in July 2026.

This clash of titans reveals a deeper struggle over influence and priorities in Trump’s administration. Is it about loyalty, policy, or personal grudges? Only time—and perhaps a few more X posts—will tell.

Space Policy News

Trump’s Snub of Musk’s NASA Pick Ignites Feud Over ‘Big, Beautiful’ Tax Bill