President Trump has renominated private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator after withdrawing his initial nomination earlier this year. The decision follows months of internal competition and political maneuvering within the administration. Isaacman, who has flown to space twice on SpaceX missions, expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
On Tuesday evening, November 5, 2025, President Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that he is renominating Jared Isaacman to head NASA. Trump praised Isaacman's qualifications, stating, “Jared’s passion for space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new space economy make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new era.”
Isaacman's original nomination in early 2025 was withdrawn in late May due to political concerns, including past donations to Democrats. The move was influenced by Sergio Gor, then head of the White House Office of Personnel Management, amid Elon Musk's departure from Washington. Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments and a commercial astronaut who has orbited Earth twice aboard SpaceX vehicles, responded graciously at the time, thanking Trump for the honor.
In July, Trump appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA administrator, tasking him with selecting a permanent leader. Duffy, however, grew comfortable in the role, frequently appearing on outlets like Fox News to discuss space initiatives. Advocates such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich continued lobbying for Isaacman, highlighting his business acumen and push for commercial space innovation.
Tensions escalated recently between Duffy and Isaacman supporters. Duffy's camp, favoring traditional contractors and the status quo, leaked Isaacman's reform plan, "Project Athena," in an attempt to undermine him— a story first reported by Ars Technica on Monday. The leak apparently backfired, coinciding with Gor's confirmation as ambassador to India and Isaacman's multiple dinners with Trump, fostering a personal rapport.
Duffy congratulated Isaacman on social media: “Congratulations to @rookisaacman. I wish him all the success and will ensure the transition is seamless.” Isaacman replied on X: “Thank you, Mr. President for this opportunity. It will be an honor to serve my country under your leadership. I am also very grateful to [Secretary Duffy], who skillfully oversees NASA alongside his many other responsibilities. The support from the space-loving community has been overwhelming. I am not sure how I earned the trust of so many, but I will do everything I can to live up to those expectations.”
Isaacman was previously days from Senate confirmation before the withdrawal. The process now faces uncertainties, including a potential government shutdown, and if not completed by year's end, he must refile conflict-of-interest documents, possibly delaying matters into spring 2026.