Just days before a scheduled full Senate vote, President Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead NASA.
The White House confirmed the decision Saturday afternoon, attributing it to a “thorough review” of Isaacman’s “prior associations.” The news followed publication of NASA’s proposed budget, which confirmed significant cuts previewed in the administration’s earlier “skinny budget.”
“It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda,” said White House spokesperson Liz Huston. “A replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.”
Isaacman, 42, is the CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company, and co-founder of Draken International, a defense aerospace contractor based in Lakeland, Florida. He is also a veteran of two private space missions with SpaceX and was widely viewed as an unconventional but visionary pick for the role.
“I am incredibly grateful to President Trump, the Senate, and all those who supported me throughout this journey,” Isaacman posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling.”
A Sudden Reversal
Isaacman’s nomination was first announced in December 2024 and had gained momentum in recent months. In April, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced his nomination by a 19–9 vote, setting up a final confirmation vote in the full Senate. But that vote never came.
The news of Isaacman’s withdrawal was first reported by Semafor, shortly after conservative activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer hinted at the shake-up on her social media account. Loomer, a controversial figure with influence in Trump’s orbit, also pointed to Isaacman’s political donations as a likely factor in his ouster.
Political Contributions Raise Eyebrows
Although Isaacman has no formal background in government or politics, donor records reviewed by Open Secrets, a nonpartisan watchdog group, show that he has contributed to both Democratic and Republican candidates over the years. These include a 2022 donation to Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat and former NASA astronaut, and past contributions to George Whitesides, a Democrat and former NASA Chief of Staff now running for Congress in California.
His most recent donation to a Republican, according to records, was a $500 contribution in 2016 to then-Congressman Dennis Ross (R-FL). Loomer also claimed Isaacman donated $2 million toward the 2017 Trump inauguration.
“Prior associations” was the phrase Trump used when addressing the decision on his own social media channel, without naming specific concerns. The New York Times reported that the president had grown increasingly uncomfortable with Isaacman’s bipartisan donor history.
Despite the withdrawal, Isaacman retained support from several Republican senators.
“Astronaut and successful businessman Jared Isaacman was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA,” tweeted Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT). “I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination.”
During the confirmation process, Isaacman met with senators and governors from states with major NASA facilities to rally support for the space agency’s long-term mission. In his own words, the process gave him a deep appreciation for the challenges of public service.
“It may not always be obvious through the discourse and turbulence, but there are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission,” he said.
SpaceX Ties Under Scrutiny
Isaacman’s close relationship with Elon Musk and SpaceX—where he served as mission commander on both the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn missions—also drew scrutiny. He was a central figure in the Polaris Program, a private initiative to advance commercial space exploration.
Questions were raised during his confirmation hearing about Musk’s possible role in Isaacman’s nomination process. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) pressed him on whether Musk had been present during Trump’s interview of potential candidates. Isaacman declined to answer.
Musk later weighed in publicly, writing on X: “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted.”
Next Steps at NASA
With Isaacman out, the space agency will remain under the leadership of acting Administrator Janet Petro. Petro previously served as the director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and is expected to continue in her interim role until a new nominee is confirmed.
Brian Hughes, a Florida-based political consultant and a Trump 2024 campaign aide, was recently appointed as NASA’s Chief of Staff. He is considered a loyalist to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
While the future of NASA’s leadership remains uncertain, Isaacman expressed continued optimism about the agency’s trajectory.
“The President, NASA and the American people deserve the very best—an Administrator ready to reorganize, rebuild and rally the best and brightest minds to deliver the world-changing headlines NASA was built to create,” Isaacman said.
“I have not flown my last mission—whatever form that may ultimately take—but I remain incredibly optimistic that humanity’s greatest spacefaring days lie ahead.”
What’s Ahead?
The Trump administration is expected to announce a new nominee in the coming weeks. Whether the next pick will have a background in spaceflight, politics, or both remains to be seen.
As for Isaacman, he may be exiting the political arena, but likely not the space race.
“I’ll always be grateful for this opportunity,” he said, “and cheering on our President and NASA as they lead us on the greatest adventure in human history.”
