Trump calls in to NASA press conference to celebrate launch of Roman Space Telescope, a mission he tried to cancel

Trump's Unexpected Praise for a Space Mission He Once Tried to Ax

In a surprising twist, President Trump dialed into a NASA press conference, lauding the successful launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—a mission he had previously fought to cancel.

Changing Tides

As NASA celebrated the telescope's triumph, Administrator Jared Isaacman fielded an unexpected call from President Trump, who expressed his admiration, calling the mission a visual spectacle. Trump noted, "You're the hottest in space, and we have the hottest country anywhere in the world," highlighting his approval of NASA's progress.

The Irony of Support

This support contrasts with Trump's prior attempts to defund the project, known as WFIRST before its launch, amid repeated budget proposals between 2019 and 2021. Each attempt was thwarted by Congress, which continued to back the mission financially.

Future Implications

Despite past frictions, Trump's call suggested a new outlook, emphasizing potential "more resources" for future space endeavors. NASA's determination to pursue groundbreaking science persists, backed by a $24.4 billion budget recently passed by Congress.