President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, a billionaire and CEO of Shift4, was chosen by Trump during the presidential transition in December. The decision comes after what Trump described as a "thorough review" of Isaacman’s past associations.
The White House did not clarify what specific associations led to this decision. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, stating he would soon name a new nominee who aligns with his vision for space exploration and prioritizes American interests.
Isaacman, 42, is known for his close ties to Elon Musk, having purchased multiple spaceflights from SpaceX and even conducting the first private spacewalk. His nomination had received approval from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and a full Senate vote was anticipated.
Elon Musk expressed disappointment over the news, calling Isaacman "competent and good-hearted" in a post on social media. Isaacman’s nomination was seen as a step forward for NASA, given his experience and connections in the space industry.
The withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination raises questions about the direction of NASA under Trump’s administration and what criteria will be used for future nominees.