Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is confirmed as new NASA chief

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday to be the new head of NASA, marking the end of a dramatic saga that began more than a year ago

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday to be the new head of NASA, marking the end of a dramatic saga that began more than a year ago.

Isaacman was first tapped to lead NASA in December 2024 by then-President elect Donald Trump, but Trump abruptly withdrew the nomination five months later after “a thorough review of prior associations.”

In an unusual turn of events, Trump renominated Isaacman in November, saying that his experience and passion for space “make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era.”

The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for NASA, as questions persist over the space agency’s future budget and priorities. Like other government agencies, NASA is still reeling from major cuts to funding and personnel as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.

The final confirmation vote was 67-30.