Trump’s bombshell offer to NASA astronauts exposed.
Donald Trump has made waves with a huge offer to two NASA astronauts who were stranded in space for nearly nine months.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ extended stay profiled.
Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams found themselves stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 286 days—far longer than their planned eight-day mission.
The astronauts initially set out on a mission aboard a Boeing Starliner capsule, but their return journey was delayed due to unexpected technical issues with the spacecraft.
After docking at the ISS, a technical glitch led to the Starliner capsule being unable to return them as planned, forcing the astronauts to stay in orbit for much longer than expected.
Nine months in space isn’t just a logistical issue—it’s a grueling physical and mental challenge.
But Wilmore and Williams powered through, adapting to the extraordinary isolation.
Living in space for such an extended period can have profound effects on the human body.
With limited gravity, astronauts often experience muscle atrophy and bone density loss.
During their prolonged mission, Wilmore and Williams were confined to the ISS, a research laboratory orbiting the Earth, where they carried out vital experiments.
But life in space can be mentally taxing, with isolation and physical discomfort.
Amid the drama, Donald Trump spoke up, addressing the issue of their extended stay and what comes next for the two astronauts.
Trump’s frustration with Biden highlighted.
Trump didn’t hold back, blaming the Biden administration for “abandoning” the astronauts in space.
The former president also weighed in on the rumored offer from Elon Musk to bring them home sooner.
Despite claims that Musk had been ready to assist, both NASA and the astronauts denied any knowledge of the offer.
Trump, however, seemed convinced, saying, “I’ve asked Elon… Can you get them out?”
Trump didn’t miss the opportunity to thank Elon Musk for SpaceX’s role in bringing the astronauts home, noting, “Think if we don’t have him.”
Thanks to SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, Wilmore and Williams were finally able to return to Earth, despite the initial delays.
Without Musk’s involvement, their return would have been uncertain.
Trump also reflected on the physical toll of space travel, acknowledging that “the body starts to deteriorate” after nine or ten months, especially in terms of bones and blood circulation.
Trump’s vow to astronauts clarified.
As if the technical glitches weren’t enough, questions began to surface about whether the astronauts would be compensated for their extended stay.
Would they receive overtime pay for the additional 286 days spent in space?
A reporter raised the issue, claiming that the astronauts should be paid overtime—about $1,430 for their extended time.
Trump was quick to respond.
A NASA spokesperson clarified that astronauts typically receive a standard, 40-hour workweek salary while aboard the ISS. They do not earn overtime or additional pay for weekends or holidays.
Astronauts are also provided with incidental expenses of $5 per day while in space, covering costs like food and small travel-related needs.
In a social media clip that has gone viral, Trump stated, “Well, nobody’s ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my own pocket.”
He added, “I’ll get it for them,” revealing his willingness to foot the bill for the astronauts’ overtime.
Trump made sure to emphasize that the astronauts endured a lot, saying, “That’s not a lot for what they had to go through.”
The gesture raised eyebrows, as many speculated about the legitimacy of Trump’s statement. Could he really pay them personally for their extended time in space?
NASA is dedicated to ensuring that its astronauts are well cared for, but in this situation, some are questioning whether the system could be better equipped to handle such extraordinary delays.
Trump’s bold gesture stuns everyone.
In the end, Trump’s off-the-cuff promise to pay the astronauts’ overtime has captured public attention, but many are left wondering: will he follow through, or was this just another headline-grabbing statement?
As for SpaceX, the world is watching to see whether Musk’s company will play a pivotal role in future space missions, ensuring no astronaut is ever left stranded in space again.