Trump Authorizes Elon Musk to Rescue Stranded U.S. Astronauts from ISS
Washington DC [US], February 19: US President Donald Trump lauded Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as the “smartest person” working for the United States, highlighting his technological innovations, particularly Starlink, and approving Musk’s request to bring back two American astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS).
In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Trump and Musk addressed several key issues, including their working relationship, media scrutiny, and space exploration.
During the interview, Trump spoke about how the media had tried to pit him against Musk but failed.
“They tried it. Then they stopped. Actually, Elon called me and said, ‘They’re trying to drive us apart.’ They even reported that I had ceded control of the presidency to Musk. But the people are smart; they see what’s happening,” Trump remarked.
Expressing admiration for Musk’s technological contributions, Trump said,
“I respect him. I’ve always respected him. He created Starlink and advanced technologies that no one could even imagine.”
Trump recounted an incident in disaster-struck North Carolina where officials requested Starlink internet access. Initially unfamiliar with the service, Trump reached out to Musk.
“I called him, and he immediately provided thousands of Starlink units, saving many lives,” Trump stated, emphasizing Musk’s efficiency and leadership.
The conversation took a significant turn when Musk addressed the delayed return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the ISS for nearly 300 days instead of the originally planned eight.
Musk confirmed, “At the President’s request, we are accelerating the astronauts’ return, which was postponed to a ridiculous degree.”
Trump responded with an official go-ahead:
“And you have the go-ahead. We’re bringing them back.”
Musk assured that the astronauts would be back within four weeks.
Trump also acknowledged Musk’s ability to deliver results, saying,
“I wanted someone really smart to work with me for the country. I searched everywhere but couldn’t find anyone smarter than Elon.”
The conversation showcased a strong alliance between Trump and Musk, underlining the role of private sector innovation in advancing national interests.
Tags: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, SpaceX, NASA astronauts, Starlink, International Space Station, USA news, White House, technology, disaster relief, space exploration
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