During a recent CNN interview, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore responded to former President Donald Trump’s claim that President Biden’s administration had abandoned them on the International Space Station (ISS).
In January, Trump criticized the Biden administration for leaving the astronauts stranded, which he reiterated on his Truth Social platform, expressing concern over their extended stay in space. He even praised Elon Musk and SpaceX for potentially stepping in to rescue the astronauts, claiming that they had been “virtually abandoned” by the current administration.
However, when asked about these allegations during a CNN interview, both Williams and Wilmore firmly rejected the idea that they had been left behind or abandoned. Speaking from the ISS, Wilmore clarified, “We do not feel as if we were abandoned. We do not feel trapped. We so not feel stranded. I see why some may believe that, but we are always ready and dedicated.” He further explained that NASA’s human spaceflight program is designed to ensure astronauts are ready for any potential challenges, saying, “We prepare for all contingencies that we can conceive of, and we are always prepared.”
Williams and Wilmore’s mission had faced delays and technical difficulties, including issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which had thruster malfunctions during an attempted docking at the space station last year. As a result, NASA decided that the astronauts would return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule instead. Despite these challenges, the astronauts were confident in their mission’s success and NASA’s ability to ensure their safety.
While the situation raised political rhetoric about space exploration and the administration’s role, the astronauts remain focused on their mission and their return, which is scheduled for March 12 on Crew-10. They hope the conversation will shift toward recognizing their preparedness and commitment rather than the sensationalized claims of abandonment.