Elon Musk’s Retaliation Against Trump Risks NASA Astronauts’ Repeat Stranding Crisis
Elon Musk Threatens to Strand NASA Astronauts in Escalating Feud with Trump
By Chris Melore, Assistant Science Editor for DailyMail.com
Updated: 23:12 BST, 5 June 2025
Elon Musk has intensified his clash with former President Donald Trump, declaring plans to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft—a move that could leave NASA astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The announcement came after Trump vowed to cancel federal contracts with SpaceX and Tesla, escalating a bitter feud.
Elon Musk’s decision jeopardizes NASA’s access to the only reliable U.S. crew capsule.
Dragon’s Crucial Role
The SpaceX Dragon capsule recently rescued astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stuck on the ISS for 286 days after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned. With four astronauts currently on the station, Musk’s decision risks leaving them without a viable return vehicle. NASA’s backup option—Boeing’s Starliner—has faced repeated technical failures, raising concerns about its safety.
Trump vs. Musk: A Costly Battle
The rift began when Musk opposed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a deficit-expanding budget. Musk, who previously led the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accused Trump of reckless spending. Trump retaliated on Truth Social, claiming he’d save “Billions” by severing ties with SpaceX and Tesla—companies that have received over $18 billion in government contracts since 2015.
The Dragon capsule rescued stranded astronauts in March 2025 after Boeing’s Starliner failure.
Epstein Allegations and Impeachment Calls
Musk further inflamed tensions by alleging Trump’s name appears in Jeffrey Epstein’s files and suggesting the 78-year-old should be impeached in favor of 40-year-old VP JD Vance. Trump dismissed Musk as “CRAZY” and accused him of mismanaging DOGE.
What’s Next for NASA?
SpaceX’s Dragon is the only U.S. spacecraft currently certified for ISS missions. Its retirement would force NASA to rely on Boeing’s troubled Starliner or seek international partners. Meanwhile, the Dragon XL—a lunar cargo variant—faces uncertainty, delaying plans for the proposed Lunar Gateway.
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were rescued after a 9-month delay caused by Starliner issues.
With NASA yet to comment, the fallout between Musk and Trump threatens both U.S. space dominance and the safety of astronauts orbiting 250 miles above Earth. As the feud plays out on social media, the ISS crew’s fate hangs in the balance.
DailyMail.com has reached out to SpaceX and NASA for updates.
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Elon Musk makes spiteful move against Trump that could lead to NASA stranded astronauts 2.0
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