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President Trump on Saturday abruptly yanked his nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman — an ally of Elon Musk who founded a company that has the world’s largest private air force — to helm NASA days before his expected Senate confirmation vote.
The shocking move came in response to a “review” of Isaacman’s history, according to Trump, implying that his liberal record was to blame. But many prominent conservatives, including Musk, are standing by the wealthy entrepreneur.
“After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday. “I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space.”
The exact reasons behind the move are not entirely known. Trump has stood by key nominees such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth through various firestorms, and it is not clear that the billionaire would’ve lacked the votes.
Isaacman, 42, founded payment processor Shift4 Payments and tactical fighter aircraft provider Draken International, which has the world’s largest known fleet of privately owned fighter jets.
The billionaire tech boss, who has been to space twice on treks that he funded, has widely been seen as a close ally of Musk since purchasing a space flight via SpaceX in 2021. Isaacman was part of SpaceX’s 2024 Polaris Dawn crew that conducted the first private spacewalk.
SpaceX has consistently been among NASA’s largest contractors, an issue that came up repeatedly during Isaacman’s Senate confirmation hearings in April.
Musk departed his role as a special government employee last month and received a friendly send-off from Trump in the Oval Office, with the White House seemingly trying to tamp down any conjecture that the two men clashed.
Trump handed Musk a golden key to honor him for his services to the Trump administration and added that “Elon is really not leaving,” predicting that the billionaire would remain helpful.
The president rescinded Isaacman’s nomination to helm NASA one day after Musk’s White House farewell.
“It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,” Musk posted of Isaacman on X after the news broke.
Isaacman, whom Trump nominated to the coveted role in December, has a history of donating to Democrats going back over 15 years, according to data from OpenSecrets.
This includes donations to a super PAC aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). But Isaacman has also given money to Trump’s inaugural fund and to Republicans.
“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 spokeswoman Elizabeth Huston said in a statement.
Trump has brought on former Democrats and opponents into his administration, such as director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Even his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, was once a fierce 2016 GOP primary adversary.
Rumors of the White House’s plans to pull Isaacman’s nomination swirled not long before the announcement and drew backlash from some prominent conservative voices.
“Astronaut and successful businessman @RookIsaacman was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA. I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination,” Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mo.) said before Trump’s announcement.
Conservative pundit Benny Johnson claimed that he had a call with a “100% MAGA” Republican senator who told him that “everyone is stunned by this.”
Conservative personality Laura Loomer, who sometimes has Trump’s ear, lashed out at the move, arguing that on merit, and Isaacman’s “knowledge of Space, his credentials are unmatched.”
“There is reason to believe that Isaacman may be facing retaliation because of his friendship with @elonmusk. If so, this would suggest there is a coordinated hit job on Isaacman in an effort to damage ties between President Trump and Elon Musk before the 2026 midterms,” she remarked.
“Is President Trump aware of the ulterior motives by some individuals in the administration who have an interest in seeing Isaacman’s nomination pulled?”
Isaacman later expressed gratitude to Trump and those who supported his nomination.
“The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry,” he said.
“The President, NASA and the American people deserve the very best–an Administrator ready to reorganize, rebuild and rally the best and brightest minds to deliver the world-changing headlines NASA was built to create.”
