SpaceX vs. Trump: Political Feud Jeopardizes NASA, Pentagon Missions
News Desk
NASA: A high-stakes political clash between Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump has placed approximately $22 billion in government contracts with SpaceX in jeopardy and cast uncertainty over key American space programs.
The dispute began after Musk criticized Trump’s tax and spending policies last week. Tensions escalated when Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, publicly rebuked Musk, prompting the billionaire to retaliate on social media.
Musk responded with a string of posts on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that SpaceX could begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft — the only US-made vehicle currently capable of transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Although Musk later appeared to walk back that threat — replying “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon” to a user urging restraint — the remark had already sent shockwaves through the U.S. space community. The threat was unprecedented coming from one of NASA’s most vital private-sector partners.
SpaceX holds a $5 billion contract with NASA for its Dragon capsule, which plays a central role in the ISS program. Any interruption in its availability could disrupt international operations and force greater reliance on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft.
The feud also raised serious concerns about potential political retaliation. Trump, who has a history of intervening in federal procurement, suggested terminating SpaceX’s contracts — a move that could dramatically slow progress in both civil and defense space efforts. Musk had previously chaired Trump’s federal downsizing initiative before their falling out.
NASA declined to comment directly on SpaceX but emphasized its commitment to working with all partners to meet US space goals. Still, the breakdown of what was once a mutually beneficial relationship could have wide-reaching implications.
SpaceX had benefited from close ties with the Trump administration, including proposed shifts in NASA’s focus from the moon to Mars, support for a space-based missile defense program, and favorable leadership appointments. One such ally, Jared Isaacman — a billionaire private astronaut and Musk’s preferred choice to head NASA — was abruptly dropped from consideration over the weekend. Trump justified the decision by claiming Isaacman was “totally Democrat,” citing his campaign contributions to Democratic candidates.
Musk’s ambition to prioritize Mars missions has long competed with NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon. Trump’s proposed budget sought to cut Artemis missions beyond the third flight, ending use of the costly Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. However, the Senate’s draft version of the spending bill released Thursday restored funding for future Artemis missions through 2029, providing at least $1 billion annually for SLS — a move that could signal Musk’s waning influence in Washington.
Despite these political headwinds, analysts note that SpaceX has grown into a global powerhouse that could weather the storm. “It fortunately wouldn’t be catastrophic,” said Justus Parmar, CEO of SpaceX investor Fortuna Investments. “But it would mean significant lost revenue and missed opportunities.”
Founded in 2002, SpaceX has earned over $15 billion in NASA contracts for its Falcon 9 and Starship rockets — the latter expected to land astronauts on the moon. The company is also integral to U.S. defense, launching most national security satellites and building a massive surveillance constellation for intelligence agencies.
Former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver warned that canceling SpaceX’s contracts would likely be illegal and against national interest. However, she condemned Musk’s actions, saying: “A rogue CEO threatening to decommission spacecraft, putting astronauts’ lives at risk, is untenable.”
As the political dust settles, the future of America’s commercial space leadership may hinge on whether Musk and Trump can set aside their feud — or whether the fallout reshapes the trajectory of US space policy.
