Donald Trump has appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA Administrator, replacing Janet Petro in a move that distances the White House from Elon Musk and his longtime ally Jared Isaacman, NaijNaira can report.
Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman, will now lead the $25 billion space agency. As reported by DailyMail, his selection follows the withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination, a billionaire who partnered with Musk on SpaceX missions.
“Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job… rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient and beautiful again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency.”
Duffy responded on X, saying: “Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch.”
Trump’s decision to remove Isaacman followed concerns over his political leanings and ties to Musk. “I was surprised to learn that he was a blue-blooded Democrat,” Trump said, adding it was “inappropriate” for a close Musk associate to run NASA.
Isaacman later clarified that he is a “right-leaning moderate” and had disclosed donations to both parties. Despite the reversal, he publicly supported Duffy’s nomination, saying, “NASA needs political leadership from someone the President trusts.”
Article updated 5 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.