Washington D.C., 1 June : In a sudden move, the White House has withdrawn Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA, removing a close associate of Elon Musk from consideration. President Donald Trump confirmed the decision on Saturday, stating he would soon announce a new nominee.

“After a comprehensive review of past associations, I am officially withdrawing Jared Isaacman’s nomination as NASA administrator,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “A new candidate will be named shortly—someone aligned with our mission and committed to putting America First in space.”

Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut, was initially chosen with strong support from Musk and was scheduled for a long-delayed Senate confirmation vote next week. The decision to remove him from consideration surprised many in the space sector. Neither Trump nor the White House provided a detailed explanation for the withdrawal.

Isaacman responded on X, expressing gratitude for the support he received and acknowledging the bipartisan backing he witnessed during his confirmation hearing. “While it might not always be visible amidst the noise, there are many capable, devoted individuals who truly care about this country and NASA’s mission,” he wrote.

His exit comes just days after Elon Musk officially departed his controversial advisory role in the White House as a “special government employee” overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency—a role that reportedly created internal tensions.

Semafor first reported the news, citing sources that indicated Musk was disappointed by Isaacman’s removal. Musk praised Isaacman on X, writing, “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted.”

It remains uncertain who will replace Isaacman. One potential candidate being discussed is retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Steven Kwast, a vocal advocate for the U.S. Space Force and known Trump supporter, according to individuals familiar with the process.

Although Isaacman had wide support within the space industry, concerns were raised in Congress over his deep financial and professional ties to SpaceX, where he invested hundreds of millions as a private spaceflight customer. His previous donations to Democratic candidates also sparked political scrutiny.

During his Senate hearing in April, Isaacman attempted to bridge NASA’s current lunar-focused strategy with growing calls to prioritize Mars missions. He emphasized that the U.S. could pursue ambitions for both destinations.

As NASA administrator, Isaacman would have been responsible for guiding nearly 18,000 employees through a period of major transition. That task became more daunting with the Trump administration’s newly unveiled 2026 budget proposal, which suggested eliminating dozens of science programs and laying off thousands of agency staff—proposals widely criticized as damaging.

Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana and member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, expressed disappointment at the nomination withdrawal. “Jared was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA,” Sheehy posted on X. “I proudly introduced him at his hearing and strongly opposed any effort to derail his nomination.”

Some space experts have warned that the abrupt change could further destabilize NASA at a time when the agency faces severe budget constraints and lacks confirmed leadership to navigate political and operational challenges.

“Not having Jared as NASA’s head is a setback for the agency,” Harvard-Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan McDowell posted on X. “But maybe it’s a relief for him, considering that leading NASA right now is like a real-life ‘Kobayashi Maru’—a no-win scenario.”