Donald Trump Seeks Elon Musk's Help to Bring 'Stranded' Astronauts Home

Washington DC – Former US President Donald Trump has called upon billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to expedite the return of American astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS). The two astronauts, who originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, have remained in space far longer than initially planned due to technical issues with their spacecraft.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!" This statement comes amid growing concerns over the prolonged stay of the astronauts, even though NASA has repeatedly stated that they are not stranded and remain in good health.

Musk's Response and NASA’s Clarification

Responding to Trump’s request, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the company is prepared to assist in bringing the astronauts back home. “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so,” Musk posted. He also criticized the previous Biden administration for the delays, calling it “terrible” that they were left at the ISS for so long.

However, NASA officials have clarified that the astronauts are not stranded. The space agency had already planned for their return aboard the SpaceX Crew-9 capsule, which was scheduled for February 2025 but later delayed to March due to operational adjustments for Crew-10’s launch. NASA reiterated that Wilmore and Williams are safe, in good spirits, and continue to contribute to ISS operations.

Mission Timeline and Delays

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner for a test mission that was meant to last only 10 days. However, technical issues with the spacecraft raised concerns about its ability to safely return to Earth, prompting NASA to seek alternative arrangements. In August 2024, NASA assigned the astronauts to return aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, removing two previously scheduled crew members to make room for them.

Further delays occurred in December 2024, as SpaceX required additional time to prepare its latest Dragon spacecraft, which was set to debut with Crew-10. As a result, Crew-9’s return mission was pushed to March 2025. Musk’s recent comments suggest that the Crew Dragon capsule ‘Freedom’ may now depart earlier than planned, expediting the astronauts’ return.

Political Reactions and Future Steps

Trump’s public appeal for Musk’s involvement has sparked political debate, with critics accusing him of using the situation to discredit the Biden administration. Meanwhile, SpaceX and NASA officials continue working on a feasible return plan, ensuring the safety and well-being of the astronauts.

While Musk has yet to announce an official timeline for the rescue mission, his statement indicates that efforts are underway to bring Wilmore and Williams home sooner than anticipated. NASA and SpaceX are expected to provide further updates on the mission in the coming days.