Hello and welcome to Space Briefing. In a stunning turn, the Trump administration has pulled Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA, reportedly because he wasn’t politically loyal enough. White House spokesperson Liz Huston warned, “The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump’s bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,” and insisted the next leader must be in “complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda.”

Isaacman, a private astronaut approved 19–9 by the Senate Commerce Committee last month, saw his support evaporate after far-right activist Laura Loomer claimed on X that “Deep State operatives are trying to derail President Trump’s NASA Administrator pick.” His key backer, Elon Musk, has stepped back from politics, leaving Isaacman exposed.

The timing is dire as the administration seeks a 24 percent cut to NASA’s budget, down to $18.8 billion in fiscal 2026. One insider bluntly told Ars Technica, “NASA is f---ed,” while another warned the agency is in “going-out-of-business mode without Jared there to innovate.” Rumors now swirl around retired Lieutenant General Steven L. Kwast as a potential replacement. Stay tuned for updates.
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