Musk ally ousted: Jared Isaacman dropped as NASA pick days after CEO’s exit

With Isaacman out, speculation has turned toward potential replacements.

In a surprise move, the White House on Saturday withdrew the nomination of billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, removing a close ally of Elon Musk from consideration just days before a scheduled Senate confirmation vote.

The announcement was confirmed by White House spokeswoman Liz Huston, who said President Donald Trump will personally announce a new nominee soon. “It is essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda,” Huston said in a statement.

Isaacman’s abrupt removal has sent ripples across the space community. Known for his early private spaceflights with SpaceX and his strong industry support, Isaacman had been seen as a key figure to align NASA’s future with Musk’s vision, particularly for Mars exploration. His nomination had been long-delayed and contentious, with concerns raised among lawmakers over his financial and strategic ties to SpaceX.

The White House did not provide an explanation for the decision, but Semafor was first to report the development. Sources close to Elon Musk told media outlets the SpaceX CEO was disappointed by the move, viewing it as politically motivated. Musk later posted on X (formerly Twitter), “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,” in response to the news.

Isaacman’s exit comes shortly after Musk officially stepped down from his controversial role in the Trump administration as a “special government employee” overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency, a stint that reportedly caused friction among senior aides.

With Isaacman out, speculation has turned toward potential replacements. Among the names being discussed is retired U.S. Air Force Lt. General Steven Kwast, a vocal supporter of the U.S. Space Force and a known Trump loyalist, according to sources cited by multiple reports.

Isaacman, founder of payment tech firm Shift4, had proposed a vision that sought to strike a balance between NASA’s existing Artemis moon missions and an accelerated push toward Mars. His views had generated both enthusiasm and criticism during his April confirmation hearing.

The shake-up comes as NASA braces for a potentially dramatic restructuring. On Friday, the agency released details of the Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal, which includes major cuts to science programs and could result in thousands of job losses. The plan has drawn sharp backlash from space advocates and lawmakers, who warn it could undermine U.S. space leadership.

(With inputs from Reuters)