After Musk’s DOGE Exit, Trump Withdraws His Ally’s NASA Nomination; Will Announce New Pick Soon

Amid reports of disagreements between Donald Trump and Elon Musk and shortly after the Tesla boss’s exit from DOGE, the White House on Saturday (local time) abruptly withdrew the nomination of Tesla CEO’s close ally, Jared Isaacman, for NASA administrator.

President Trump said that he took this decision after a “thorough review of prior associations”, adding that he would announce a new candidate soon. “After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut and Musk’s choice to lead NASA, was scheduled for a long-delayed confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate next week. His sudden removal from consideration surprised many in the space industry.

However, neither Trump nor the White House gave any explanation for the reasons that led them to this decision.

Isaacman’s removal comes just days after Elon Musk officially left the White House. As a “special government employee” leading the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk’s role had caused disruption within the administration and frustration among some of Trump’s aides.

According to a person familiar with his reaction, Musk was disappointed by his ally’s removal from the nomination. “It is rare to find someone so competent and good-hearted,” Musk said of Isaacman on X, while responding to the news of the White House’s call.

Since the January 20 inauguration, Musk has been working closely with Trump to cut government spending. However, last month, he had some public disagreements with Trump — one of them over a proposed law that Trump called a “big beautiful bill.”

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful. But I don’t know if it could be both,” Musk had said.