Trump admin live updates: White House drops NASA nominee with Musk ties

The senate was slated to vote on Jared Isaacman next week

President Donald Trump on Friday claimed China violated its trade agreement with the U.S. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks between the world's two largest economies stalled.

This week, Trump's global tariff policy hit a major roadblock as two federal courts ruled he does not have the power to unilaterally impose some levies. The tariffs can stay in place, for now, as the court considers the administration's appeal.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is leaving his role as a "special government employee" but is expected to remain an unofficial adviser to Trump.

White House pulls NASA nominee Jared Isaacman, billionaire with Musk ties

The White House withdrew Saturday the nomination of Jared Isaacman to become the next NASA administrator just days before his scheduled confirmation vote in the Senate.

"It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon," Liz Huston, a spokesperson for the White House said in a statement.

In this April 19, 2024, file photo, SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew member Jared Isaacman speaks at a press briefing.

Scott Schilke/Sipa USA via AP, FILE

Isaacman, who is the CEO of the payment processing company Shift4, has had a long history with Musk and worked with SpaceX on commercial flights into space.

During his confirmation hearing in April with the Senate’s Commerce Committee, Isaacman stated he would "prioritize sending American astronauts to Mars."

Isaacman attempted to distance himself from Musk during his confirmation hearing as he was getting grilled by Democrats on the committee.

PHOTO: Jared Isaacman Testifies In His Senate Nomination Hearing To Be NASA Administrator

In this April 9, 2025, file photo, Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump's nominee to be National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrato...Show more

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, FILE

Musk and Trump have emphasized their desire to prioritize Mars, whereas Isaacman clarified during questioning that a lunar landing would take precedence over a Mars mission.

In a post on social media, Trump confirmed he had pulled the nomination.

"After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA," Trump said without elaborating. "I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission ali

gned, and put America First in Space."