President Trump has made a fresh pick to lead NASA, a move that is likely to anger Elon Musk after Trump rejected his preferred choice.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is the new interim leader of NASA, Trump announced in a post on Truth Social.
"I am pleased to announce that I am directing our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA. Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country’s Transportation Affairs, including creating a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control systems, while at the same time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient, and beautiful, again," Trump wrote.
"He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time. Congratulations, and thank you, Sean!"
The NASA job played a role in the dramatic rift between Trump and Musk that erupted publicly in June.
Trump had initially selected Musk ally Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and private astronaut, to lead NASA. But Trump reversed course the day after Musk left the Trump administration, with Trump announcing he was pulling the nomination after a "thorough review of prior associations."
Days later, Musk launched a furious tirade attacking Trump's megabill and linking him without evidence to the Epstein files.
Trump and Musk have continued to go at it, with Trump threatening to target Musk's government contracts and Musk starting his own political party.
In a post on July 6, Trump explained why he pulled Isaacman's nomination, citing his past support of Democrats and "inappropriate" ties to Musk, the CEO of SpaceX.
Trump said he "was surprised to learn that he was a blue-blooded Democrat, who had never contributed to a Republican before."
"Elon probably was, also," the president added. "I also thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon's corporate life."
For his part, Isaacman has rejected Trump's portrayal, describing himself as a "right-leaning moderate" and denying he has any conflict of interest, although he acknowledged flying twice on SpaceX rockets.
"Short of a new nominee, this was a great move,” Isaacman said after Duffy was nominated. “NASA needs political leadership from someone the President trusts and has confidence in."
Duffy said he was "honored" to be chosen for the role.
"Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch," Duffy wrote in response.
