In a surprising shift that signals growing distance from his former ally Elon Musk, Donald Trump has appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim head of NASA.
The decision not only surprised political insiders but also appears to have drawn a definitive line in Trump’s increasingly strained relationship with the SpaceX boss.
Duffy Steps Into NASA Role With Trump’s Full Support
Sean Duffy, a former Congressman from Wisconsin turned Transportation Secretary, is now set to lead NASA—at least temporarily.
Trump praised Duffy’s efforts in modernizing U.S. transportation systems and rebuilding national infrastructure, calling him “TREMENDOUS” in a post on Truth Social.
He added that Duffy would be a “fantastic leader” for the space agency, even if it’s only a short-term gig.
Duffy wasted no time embracing his new assignment.
Posting to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch.”
Elon Musk Feels the Cold Shoulder as Isaacman Gets Dropped
This leadership shake-up came just weeks after Trump abruptly withdrew the nomination of billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman—someone closely linked to Musk.
Isaacman had been on track to head NASA and had already cleared a Senate committee vote before the plug was pulled.
Trump cited the entrepreneur’s “prior associations” as the reason for his reversal.
That reasoning didn’t sit well with Musk. SpaceX, his aerospace firm, works closely with NASA on various missions.
Trump later clarified his concern: “I thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the space business, run NASA when NASA is such a big part of Elon’s corporate life.”
Was It Really About Politics?
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump claimed he discovered Isaacman was a “blue blooded Democrat” who had never supported Republican campaigns.
But Federal Election Commission records tell a different story — Isaacman has donated to both parties, and reportedly gave more to Republicans.
According to The New York Times, Trump likely already knew about Isaacman’s donation history before nominating him.
That’s led many to believe the real reason for the withdrawal may be more about Trump’s souring relationship with Musk than any political affiliation.
Isaacman Responds With Class and Clarification
After his nomination was withdrawn, Isaacman took to social media to set the record straight.
He described himself as a moderate, slightly right-leaning individual who had been transparent about his political donations.
In his lengthy post, Isaacman emphasized that he was not seeking political power or personal gain, and that he simply wanted to contribute to the U.S. space program.
He also clarified that while he has collaborated professionally with Musk, he doesn’t hold equity in SpaceX.
His experience flying to space on SpaceX rockets gave him a deep appreciation for the company, but he insisted there was no personal or financial entanglement.
No Hard Feelings — At Least Publicly
Despite being removed from consideration, Isaacman wished his replacement well.
He called Trump’s pick “a great move” and said NASA needs leadership from someone the president trusts.
“I care deeply about America’s competitiveness and leadership in space,” he added.
What This Says About Trump and Musk’s Changing Dynamic
This latest decision may be a defining moment in the Trump–Musk saga.
Once considered close allies during Trump’s earlier presidency, recent months have seen signs of growing friction.
Trump’s rejection of a Musk-linked nominee at such a high-profile agency like NASA suggests that this once “First Buddy” friendship is now firmly on ice.