Elon Musk has sparked a heated online feud with several astronauts after suggesting that two NASA crew members were deliberately left aboard the International Space Station (ISS) “for political reasons”.
The controversy erupted following a joint interview with former President Donald Trump that aired Tuesday on Fox News, where Musk claimed that NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were being kept in space longer than necessary due to decisions made by the Biden administration.
“They were left up there for political reasons,” Musk alleged, referring to the two astronauts who have remained on the ISS for eight months after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft ran into technical issues during its first crewed test flight.
Astronauts Fire Back
Musk’s claim was quickly challenged by European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who called out the billionaire’s statement as false.
“What a lie. And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media,” Mogensen posted on X.
The exchange escalated rapidly, with Musk responding aggressively, calling Mogensen an “idiot” and using a derogatory term. “You are fully r*****ed,” Musk began.
What a lie.
And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media. https://t.co/DxofPYolon
— Andreas Mogensen (@Astro_Andreas) February 20, 2025
You are fully retarded.
SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago.
I OFFERED THIS DIRECTLY to the Biden administration and they refused.
Return WAS pushed back for political reasons.
Idiot.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
“SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago,” Musk continued. “I OFFERED THIS DIRECTLY to the Biden administration and they refused. Return WAS pushed back for political reasons. Idiot.”
Mogensen, who previously flew to and from the ISS aboard a SpaceX capsule, pushed back on Musk’s claims, emphasizing that NASA had planned Wilmore and Williams’ return mission since last September.
“Elon, I have long admired you and what you have accomplished, especially at SpaceX and Tesla,” Mogensen replied.
“You know as well as I do, that Butch and Suni are returning with Crew-9, as has been the plan since last September,” he added. “Even now, you are not sending up a rescue ship to bring them home.
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“They are returning on the Dragon capsule that has been on ISS since last September.”
NASA and Former Astronauts Join the Debate
NASA issued a statement in response to the online firestorm, reaffirming its commitment to safety and mission integrity.
“NASA is focused on safely executing our crew rotation missions and work aboard the International Space Station for the benefit of humanity and future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars,” the agency said.
Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly also jumped into the conversation, backing Mogensen and denouncing Musk’s comments.
“I was Commander of the @ISS when Andy, @Astro_Andreas flew his first space mission. He is one of the most competent, trustworthy, and honest people I’ve ever met,” Kelly wrote on X. “This rhetoric is beyond the pale but, sadly, not surprising. He does not deserve this kind of disrespect.”
Musk doubled down, again insulting Mogensen and taking a personal swipe at Kelly’s twin brother, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.
“He is an idiot who publicly attacked me, despite having no idea what ACTUALLY happened,” Musk posted. “Btw, your brother claims to be independent, but is just a Dem donor shill.”
Mark Kelly fired back at Musk, challenging the billionaire to put his own life on the line.
“Hey @ElonMusk, when you finally get the nerve to climb into a rocket ship, come talk to the three of us,” the senator wrote.
Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield also weighed in, reposting comments he first made in February to refute Musk’s claims.
“Suni and Butch have never been ‘stranded’ in space,” Hadfield stated. “They’re prepared and committed to the mission, like all professional astronauts.”
What Really Happened to the Astronauts?
Williams and Wilmore were originally scheduled to spend about a week on the ISS after launching aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June. However, due to technical issues with the capsule, NASA made the call to leave the astronauts on the ISS rather than risk an untested return.
Instead, the agency opted to bring them back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, a plan that has been in place since September.
While Musk has accused the Biden administration of delaying their return, NASA has consistently maintained that the schedule was dictated by safety considerations and mission logistics.
The return flight, originally slated for February, was pushed to late March to accommodate preparations for a new SpaceX spacecraft that will transport their replacements.
As the public spat continues, Wilmore and Williams themselves have rejected the “abandoned in space” narrative, pushing back against the political spin surrounding their mission.
“That’s been the rhetoric. That’s been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck — and I get it. We both get it,” Wilmore told CNN on February 13. “But that is, again, not what our human spaceflight program is about. We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.”
Despite Musk’s claims, NASA has reiterated that its focus remains on mission success, astronaut safety, and the future of human space exploration — not political drama.
