The White House has withdrawn Jared Isaacman as its nominee for Nasa administrator, citing a review of his prior associations. Donald Trump announced the decision, stating he would soon name a new nominee who would be “mission aligned” and prioritize America’s space interests. “After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head Nasa,” Trump posted online. “I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be mission aligned, and put America first in space.”
Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut and close ally of Elon Musk, was due for a confirmation vote before the US Senate next week. His removal from consideration came as a surprise to many in the space industry, with Trump and the White House not explaining the reasoning behind the decision. Isaacman expressed gratitude to Trump and those who supported him, saying, “I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry. It may not always be obvious through the discourse and turbulence, but there are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission.”
Elon Musk, who had backed Isaacman’s nomination, reportedly expressed disappointment over the withdrawal. “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,” Musk wrote on X. There is speculation about potential replacements, with retired US Air Force Lt Gen Steven Kwast being floated as a possible candidate. Kwast is a Trump supporter and early advocate for the creation of the US Space Force.
Isaacman’s nomination had faced concerns from lawmakers due to his ties to Musk and SpaceX, as well as his donations to Democrats in prior elections. Despite this, he had broad support from the space industry. Senator Tim Sheehy praised Isaacman, saying, “I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination.”
The withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination has raised concerns about Nasa’s stability, particularly given the agency’s dramatic budget cuts and lack of a confirmed leader. Harvard-Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan McDowell noted, “So not having [Isaacman] as boss of Nasa is bad news for the agency. Maybe a good thing for Jared himself though, since being Nasa head right now is a bit of a Kobayashi Maru scenario.”