In a surprising and bizarre statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly ordered Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to “go get” NASA astronauts who he claimed had been “abandoned” in space for over six months. The comment, which made headlines, has left many questioning its accuracy and the reality behind the statement.
Trump’s remarks were made during a public event where he was speaking about the state of U.S. space exploration. He claimed that the astronauts, who were allegedly left stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), had been forgotten by NASA and other space agencies. His suggestion that Musk, known for his ambitious plans for space travel, should step in and rescue them was a startling and outlandish remark. Trump referred to Musk’s leadership of SpaceX, which has successfully launched crewed missions to the ISS, as a reason why he could take on this responsibility.
However, the claim that astronauts have been stranded in space for over six months is entirely unfounded. NASA astronauts aboard the ISS regularly rotate through space missions, and no crew has ever been left in space for such an extended period. The current crew aboard the ISS, as of 2025, is on a scheduled mission, and NASA continues to operate missions with regular resupply and crew rotations.
Musk, known for his ambitious vision of space exploration and frequent collaborations with NASA, did not respond to Trump’s comment, and space enthusiasts quickly dismissed the idea as a misunderstanding or hyperbole. The incident highlights the sometimes confusing and sensational nature of public statements, especially when it comes to complex topics like space travel. Nonetheless, it served as a reminder of how the public continues to be captivated by the personalities leading the space industry.
