Credited from: CBSNEWS
President Donald Trump has rescinded the nomination of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, just days before a scheduled Senate vote. The reason for this withdrawal remains unclear, but White House spokeswoman Liz Huston stated that a new nominee will be announced soon, emphasizing the need for the NASA administrator to align with Trump's "America First" agenda, aiming to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on Mars, according to Reuters, CBS News, and Newsweek.
Isaacman, a private astronaut with strong connections to Elon Musk and SpaceX, had previously cleared the Senate Commerce Committee vetting and was prepared for a floor vote. His nomination was anticipated following a supportive social media post declaring his commitment to transforming humanity into a "spacefaring civilization." Huston reiterated that the next NASA leader should be fully aligned with Trump’s vision, which includes ambitious space exploration goals, according to CBS News and Newsweek.
Concerns have emerged about potential political motivations behind the nomination's withdrawal. Activist Laura Loomer suggested that Isaacman's connections with Musk may have prompted "DC insiders" to push for his removal before the confirmation vote. This speculation hints at possible strategic maneuvers affecting Trump's relationship with Musk ahead of the upcoming midterms, according to Newsweek.