In a surprising move that highlights growing tensions within his inner circle, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will serve as the interim head of NASA.
The appointment comes just weeks after Trump abruptly withdrew his nomination of billionaire and space tourist Jared Isaacman — a close associate of Elon Musk — citing concerns over prior affiliations
Duffy, a former congressman, has earned Trump’s praise for his leadership at the Department of Transportation, particularly for overhauling air traffic control and infrastructure.
The president called him a “fantastic leader” who would guide NASA through a transitional period. Duffy responded enthusiastically on social media, writing, “Time to take over space. Let’s launch.”
The shake-up comes amid a public falling-out between Trump and Musk, who recently departed the administration after clashing over the president’s expansive policy agenda.
Sources say Musk and Duffy sparred during a March cabinet meeting, where Duffy accused Musk of trying to oust air traffic controllers.
Trump defended pulling Isaacman’s nomination by stating that it was inappropriate for a close Musk associate to lead NASA, especially given SpaceX’s deep involvement in the agency’s projects.
This isn’t the first time Trump has handed key roles to trusted cabinet members: Secretary of State Marco Rubio currently moonlights as both interim national security adviser and national archivist, raising questions about the centralisation of executive power during Trump’s second term.