In a major U-turn, billionaire Jared Isaacman has been confirmed as the new head of NASA, just seven months after US President Donald Trump rescinded his support.
On December 17, 2025, the US Senate approved Jared Isaacman as the person to lead the world’s largest space agency. In a Senate vote, Isaacman was backed by 67 legislators to lead NASA with 30 legislators opposing the appointment.
The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, who has been leading NASA in the interim, welcomed the new space chief.
“Congratulations to Jared Isaacman on his confirmation as NASA Administrator. It’s been an honor to help drive @POTUS’ vision for American leadership in space. I wish Jared success as he begins his tenure and leads NASA as we go back to the Moon in 2028 and beat China,” wrote Duffy on social media.
President Trump initially nominated Isaacman for the role in December 2024, but withdrew his backing in May 2024, after falling out with Elon Musk. Isaacman was perceived to be a Musk ally.
Thank you, Mr. President @POTUS, for this opportunity. It will be an honor to serve my country under your leadership. I am also very grateful to @SecDuffy, who skillfully oversees @NASA alongside his many other responsibilities.
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 4, 2025
The support from the space-loving community has… pic.twitter.com/CUpyTXfB14
After months without a nominee to lead NASA, President Trump renominated Isaacman in November 2025, for the job.
During his second Senate confirmation on becoming head of NASA, Isaacman hit back at speculation that he and Musk were close friends.
Congratulations to Jared Isaacman on his confirmation as NASA Administrator. 🚀
— NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy (@SecDuffyNASA) December 17, 2025
It’s been an honor to help drive @POTUS’ vision for American leadership in space.
I wish Jared success as he begins his tenure and leads NASA as we go back to the Moon in 2028 and beat China.
“Every story I see that writes about my nomination refers to the Musk ally or the Musk friend. It’s funny that in a world where everybody has a phone with a camera on it, there are no pictures of us at dinner, at a bar, on an airplane or on a yacht, because they don’t exist,” said Isaacman.
In 2024, Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk. He is also trained to fly multiple military jet aircraft.