Trump Accuses Biden of Abandoning Sunita Williams in Space: Musk Steps in to Bring Astronauts Home

In a stunning claim during a joint interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, former U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk alleged that the Biden administration had no plan to bring back NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS). Trump stated that Biden was “going to leave them in space,” while Musk confirmed that political reasons delayed their return. The claim has sparked intense debate over the handling of space missions under different administrations and the role of private space companies in critical NASA operations.

Astronauts "Abandoned" in Space?

During the interview, Hannity brought up concerns regarding the delayed return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had launched to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Initially planned as a short 10-day mission, their stay was prolonged due to technical difficulties with the Starliner, leading to uncertainty about their return.

Musk, who was present alongside Trump, stated that at the president’s request, SpaceX was expediting the astronauts’ return, hinting that the delay had been politically motivated. "At the President’s request, we are accelerating the return of the astronauts, which was postponed, kind of, to a ridiculous degree," Musk said.

Trump immediately reinforced the claim, asserting, "They got left in space." Musk agreed, stating, "Yes, they were left up there for political reasons, which is not good."

Musk’s SpaceX Steps in to Bring Them Home

The delay in the astronauts' return stemmed from persistent issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. NASA and Boeing engineers spent weeks assessing the problems, ultimately concluding that the risks were too great to bring the astronauts back using the Starliner. In August 2024, NASA officially enlisted SpaceX to retrieve them as part of its Crew-9 mission, scheduled to bring the next set of ISS astronauts and return the previous crew to Earth.

However, Musk suggested that despite NASA’s agreement, the Biden administration had been slow in approving the final go-ahead for the mission. When Hannity asked about the timeline for bringing the astronauts back, Musk replied, "I think it's about—about four weeks to bring them back."

Trump then turned to Musk and stated, "You now have the go-ahead." Musk responded, "Yes. Well, thanks to you."

Trump continued, claiming, "He (Biden) was going to leave them in space. I think he was going to leave them in space." While the Biden administration has not commented on these claims, NASA had previously confirmed that SpaceX was tasked with bringing the astronauts home months before Trump’s involvement.

The Mission That Went Wrong

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 for what was supposed to be a routine 10-day test mission. The goal was to certify the Starliner for future operational flights, making it an alternative to SpaceX’s Dragon capsule for crewed space missions.

However, soon after reaching the ISS, Boeing encountered multiple technical issues with the spacecraft, including problems with thrusters and helium leaks. NASA and Boeing teams worked tirelessly to assess the safety of returning the astronauts on Starliner but ultimately deemed it too risky.

In August 2024, NASA announced that it would use SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission to bring Williams and Wilmore home safely. SpaceX has been operating routine missions for NASA, transporting astronauts to and from the ISS every six months. Despite this plan, their return kept getting postponed, leading to the current controversy.

Musk Calls Biden's Handling of the Situation "Terrible"

Musk did not hold back in his criticism of how the Biden administration handled the situation. He claimed that Biden’s leadership had resulted in unnecessary delays in the astronauts’ return. "It’s terrible that the pair were left stranded at the ISS for so long," Musk said.

His comments have reignited discussions on the efficiency of space programs under different administrations. While NASA had already secured SpaceX’s services months ago, Musk and Trump suggested that political bureaucracy prevented swift action.

Political Debate Over Space Missions

Trump’s remarks reflect his long-standing criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to space exploration and government efficiency. Throughout his presidency, Trump prioritized NASA funding and the Space Force, aiming to maintain American dominance in space.

On the other hand, Biden’s administration has faced scrutiny over Boeing’s repeated failures in space missions. The delays with the Starliner program and Boeing’s struggles to deliver a safe crew vehicle have intensified concerns about the government’s reliance on legacy aerospace companies.

Musk’s SpaceX has become the dominant force in American spaceflight, successfully completing multiple NASA contracts, including the Artemis program and ISS crew transport. With Boeing failing to meet expectations, SpaceX’s role has expanded significantly.

Final Thoughts: A High-Stakes Space Drama

The controversy over Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s delayed return has become a flashpoint in political debates surrounding space exploration. Trump and Musk’s claims that the Biden administration had no urgency in bringing them back add another layer of tension to an already complex issue.

While NASA had previously announced SpaceX’s involvement in returning the astronauts, Musk and Trump suggest that political hesitation slowed the process. Whether this was a case of bureaucratic inefficiency or simply a misrepresentation of facts remains unclear.

Regardless of the political drama, SpaceX is set to bring Williams and Wilmore home within the next month, ensuring their safety and once again proving its reliability in human spaceflight.

As space travel becomes an increasingly vital aspect of national security and technological advancement, this incident raises critical questions about the future of space policy, private-sector involvement, and the role of politics in scientific exploration.