Trump names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA administrator

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 9 that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will serve as the interim administrator of NASA, filling a position that has been vacant since Trump withdrew his initial nominee.

“Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country’s Transportation Affairs ... He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The move comes amid a highly publicised feud between Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, whose close ally Jared Isaacman was initially nominated to lead the space agency. Trump had named Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut, to be NASA administrator in December but abruptly withdrew his nomination in May, angering Musk.

While the White House initially did not explain the withdrawal, Trump later said it was “inappropriate” to have named Isaacman due to Musk’s business dealings with NASA.

Following Trump’s announcement, Isaacman expressed support for Duffy, calling the appointment “a great move” and wishing him well.

“NASA needs political leadership from someone the President trusts and has confidence in,” Isaacman said on X.

Trump’s announcement coincides with reports from Politico that more than 2,100 senior-ranking NASA employees are expected to leave under the administration’s push to reduce staff through early retirement, buyouts, and deferred resignations.

Throughout Trump’s administration, the U.S. space industry and NASA’s workforce of 18,000 have faced uncertainty amid looming layoffs and proposed budget cuts threatening dozens of scientific programs.

By Vugar Khalilov