NASA just credited Donald Trump with saving two American astronauts stranded in space — but we’re not buying the whole story.
Back in June 2024, astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were launched to the International Space Station for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.
But shortly after arrival, a critical malfunction in the Starliner’s propulsion system made it unsafe for re-entry. NASA made the call to leave the spacecraft in orbit and return it to Earth without crew — a move grounded in safety protocols.
The return home was further delayed due to budget issues and limited launch availability. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon was on the table as Plan B, but nothing was confirmed for months. Meanwhile, the stranded astronauts stayed busy on the ISS, contributing to research and keeping operations running smoothly — all while the clock kept ticking.
NASA Publicly Thanks Trump — and Takes a Swipe at Biden?
In March 2025, after nine long months, the astronauts were finally brought back home. And surprisingly, NASA was quick to give the credit to Donald Trump.
“It would not have happened without President Trump’s intervention,” said spokeswoman Bethany Stevens in an interview with Fox News. Acting administrator Janet Petro doubled down, calling it a “huge win for the Trump administration.”
Trump, of course, took the opportunity to point fingers: “They didn’t have the go-ahead with Biden… I think he was going to leave them in space,” he said back in February.
But here’s the thing — NASA had previously denied any political involvement in the delay. They insisted the wait was due to safety and logistics, not presidential politics. The Biden administration’s original timeline actually aligned with NASA’s plans all along. So why the sudden switch in narrative?
- Read also: NASA Astronauts’ Stunning Transformation After 9 Months in Space – Before and After Photos
What About SpaceX’s Role — and Musk’s Relationship with Trump?
It’s also worth noting that SpaceX — which ultimately executed the rescue mission — had been delaying its own starship launches. Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, claimed the delays were politically motivated under Biden. But that seems convenient, doesn’t it?
If SpaceX had the capacity to act sooner, why didn’t it?
While we’re relieved that Williams and Wilmore made it home safe, the way this story is being told feels a little too curated. Between Trump’s victory lap, Musk’s loyalty, and NASA’s sudden praise, it’s hard not to wonder: was this really about the astronauts — or about who got the credit?
