In a historic yet contentious moment, the Artemis II crew engaged in a 12-minute call with former US President Donald Trump from aboard the Orion spacecraft, shortly after setting a new record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The conversation, facilitated by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, quickly turned to Trump's assertions about rescuing the space agency, despite his administration's repeated efforts to slash its budget.
Trump's Questionable Claims on NASA's Survival
During the call, Trump reminisced about a pivotal decision during his first term, stating, "You know, I had a decision to make in my first term, and the decision is: 'What are we going to do at NASA?' Are we going to have it be revived, or are we going to close it down? And I had very little hesitation." He credited Isaacman for making the process easier, emphasizing, "We've spent what we had to do." However, these remarks have been met with skepticism, given Trump's track record of proposing significant budget reductions for NASA.
Budget Cuts and Bipartisan Backlash
In early 2025, the White House under Trump proposed a 24% cut to NASA's budget, reducing it to $18.8 billion, which would have been the lowest in a decade. Experts warned of "extinction-level" impacts on science programs. Congress, in a rare bipartisan move, rejected these cuts and approved a nearly fully funded budget of $24.4 billion in January. Yet, on April 3, 2027, just two days after Artemis II launched, Trump unveiled another budget request with a 23% reduction. Democrats have vowed to fight what they call a "morally bankrupt" proposal, while Isaacman expressed support for Trump's fiscal policies, urging NASA employees to focus on the mission rather than politics.
Awkward Moments and International Diplomacy
The call featured several awkward silences, including one lasting over a minute, and Trump's repeated references to his friendship with retired Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky. He also praised America as "the hottest country in the world right now." Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen highlighted the US's "intentional decision" to lead in space exploration, allowing countries like Canada to contribute. Trump responded by reflecting on conversations with Gretzky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and other Canadian friends, expressing pride in Hansen's achievements.
Post-Mission Plans and Crew Reactions
Trump invited the four Artemis II crew members to an Oval Office reception after their scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, concluding their 10-day mission. He said, "I'll ask Jared to bring you over, and I'll ask for your autograph, because I don't really ask for autographs much, but you deserve that." Pilot Victor Glover replied, "When you want us, we will be there," and thanked Trump for the "really special" call, acknowledging the support of the American and Canadian people.
Despite the celebratory tone, the call underscored ongoing tensions between Trump's public praise for NASA and his administration's budgetary actions. As Artemis II continues its journey, the debate over space agency funding remains a critical issue for future missions, including plans for a permanent lunar base and eventual human missions to Mars.
