NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned from space with more than just stories about life in orbit. In their first interview since touching down, they thanked President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their support during the long ordeal — and said little about President Biden.
Speaking to Fox News, Wilmore said he respected and trusted Trump and Musk because they had earned it. Their willingness to engage with the space program gave him confidence and hope while still in orbit.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2025
Williams said she appreciated that Trump and Musk had “taken notice,” making clear she believed their involvement played a key role in bringing attention to the astronauts’ situation. She described their return to Earth as not just a routine conclusion but a reminder of what national leadership should look like.
The astronauts were stranded aboard the International Space Station for months longer than expected. During that time, there were multiple public offers from Musk to assist, while the Biden administration was notably quiet.
When asked if Boeing should be held accountable, Williams said the situation was complex and involved many teams. Wilmore acknowledged that there had been preparation failures across NASA and Boeing — including on his part.
Still, the comments that have drawn the most attention are those that clearly elevate Trump’s role. Williams said their predicament showed how important it is to be able to launch into space, work there — and “bring us back.”
The rescue occurred on March 18. Musk’s early offers to intervene with a private spacecraft added to public pressure as questions mounted about the administration’s inaction. Williams and Wilmore’s praise for Trump now appears to confirm that some leaders stepped up — and others didn’t.
