NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who recently returned from an unexpectedly extended mission aboard the International Space Station, are speaking out—offering high praise for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their roles in securing their safe return.
Originally planned as a short eight-day test flight aboard Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft, the mission turned into a 286-day ordeal after technical malfunctions left the astronauts stranded in orbit. Throughout the months-long delay, both President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk remained directly involved in pushing for a solution.
“They’ve Earned My Trust”
Upon returning to Earth, astronaut Butch Wilmore made it clear where his loyalty stands:
“I respect you. I trust you,” Wilmore said. “You’ve given me no reason not to trust you—either one of them. I have no reason not to believe anything they say because they’ve earned my trust.”
He praised the leadership and personal engagement shown by Trump and Musk during the crisis, calling their involvement “refreshing” and “empowering” in an era when many public figures often take a backseat on critical issues.
Suni Williams: America Needs Leaders Who Care About Space
Fellow astronaut Suni Williams echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how important it is for the country’s leadership to be actively invested in America’s space program.
“I’m just glad they’re involved and they take notice,” she said. “Our role as a spacefaring nation is essential—not just for our own country, but for the world.”
Their remarks come amid growing concern about the Biden-era neglect of key NASA programs and ongoing failures by legacy contractors like Boeing. By contrast, the Trump administration and SpaceX have spearheaded a modern, results-focused approach to space exploration and astronaut safety.
Trump’s Commitment to American Astronauts
President Trump has already announced plans to host Wilmore and Williams at the White House, where he will personally thank them for their service and resilience. The visit is being viewed as part of a broader recommitment to restoring American excellence in space—an effort that began during Trump’s first term with the launch of Space Force and expanded NASA funding.
The astronauts’ safe return was ultimately made possible by a SpaceX crew rescue mission, reinforcing the growing trust between the U.S. government and private space innovators.
Trump’s hands-on approach and Musk’s engineering-driven leadership proved a winning combination—not just for the astronauts, but for the future of American space dominance.
As Wilmore put it bluntly:
“When it mattered most, they showed up. That’s leadership.”