The Senate confirmed billionaire entrepreneur and Elon Musk ally Jared Isaacman on Wednesday afternoon to serve as President Donald Trump’s NASA administrator in a bipartisan manner.
The end-of-year confirmation is a notable victory for Isaacman, whose nomination was initially pulled in May amid Trump’s falling out with the former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisor. Trump later changed his mind and renominated Isaacman for the role temporarily filled by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in November.
Senators voted 67-30 in favor of Isaacman’s appointment. Under Senate rules, if Isaccman had not been confirmed by the end of the year, Trump would have been forced to submit his nomination for a third time.
Isaacman has pledged to get NASA back to the moon before China’s space exploration program.
“You are as committed to American supremacy in the final frontier as is this committee and the entire Senate,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the Commerce panel’s lead Republican, told Isaacman. “My hope is that you will be confirmed and in this role before the end of this year.”
Isaacman also obtained the support of Democratic Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, the head Democrat on the panel.
The Musk ally has faced scrutiny over his prior nomination to Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, over the past two decades, according to multiple reports. White House sources previously told The Daily Caller that Isaacman also faced opposition due to his past support for DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) efforts.
“Trump did the right thing by pulling him,” one official told the Caller. “We don’t confirm Schumer donors in this administration.”
Trump said he withdrew Isaccman’s nomination over “prior associations” without specifying his prior political contributions. Isaacman also donated at least $2 million to Trump’s transition following his 2024 victory.
Musk, however, kept lobbying for Iscaacman’s confirmation and has since repaired his relationship with the president.
Isaccman has previously flown to orbit twice with Musk’s company SpaceX.
“Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing his reappointment of Isascman.
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