Former reality TV star appointed NASA interim administrator

Can Sean Duffy embrace the challenge?

NASA has a new interim administrator. US President Donald Trump has announced that former reality TV star and current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be taking on the role.

"Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country's Transportation Affairs," wrote Trump, who abruptly yanked the NASA nomination from Jared Isaacman in June. Isaacman later suggested that his connection to Trump's former best pal, Elon Musk, was to blame for the President's change of heart.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Isaacman said: "Short of a new nominee, this was a great move. @NASA needs political leadership from someone the President trusts and has confidence in. Wishing @SecDuffy well in this important endeavor – NASA deserves the best."

He later added: "If you love NASA, then trust me – you want the interim administrator to be someone who can text the President. A trusted cabinet member like Sec. Duffy is a good move."

The Trump administration aims to slash NASA's budget, with many science missions at risk of being terminated or scaled back. Of Duffy, Trump said: "He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time."

Duffy responded: "Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let's launch."

Shortly before the announcement, Trump posted a lengthy critique of his former ally, Elon Musk. In it, Trump called the selection of Musk's "very close friend" Isaacman "inappropriate."

Duffy has little experience in the space arena. Before entering politics, he starred in The Real World: Boston in 1997, the sixth season of the MTV reality television show, and Road Rules: All Stars in 1998, an MTV Winnebago driving event where he met his future wife, Rachel Campos. He resigned from Congress in 2019, later becoming a Fox Business host in 2022 before being appointed secretary of transportation in 2025.

However, as Isaacman noted, he does have access to the president and therefore stands a good chance of being able to influence decision-making. There is still no word yet regarding who the next NASA administrator will be. ®