Is this True?

Fasteddie24

Junior
Dec 8, 2023
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This is not proof, but one of the Astronauts believes it's true.

  • Musk's Claim: Musk stated that the Biden administration declined SpaceX's offer to bring the astronauts back earlier than the scheduled return, accusing them of delaying for political optics.
  • Astronaut Stance: Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stated that they did not feel abandoned or stuck, explaining they were prepared for a longer stay and that politics did not play a role from their perspective.
  • Mixed Opinions: Although Wilmore later mentioned he believed Musk's claim, he acknowledged having no direct knowledge of the behind-the-scenes discussions.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: JohnHughsPartner

Fasteddie24

Junior
Dec 8, 2023
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I will defend Biden on one thing: he hated Harris, so why would he have cared if it hurt her election chances?

US astronauts stuck on space station because Biden didn’t want to risk rescue before election: ex-NASA spaceman​

By
Michael Kaplan
Published March 11, 2025, 1:13 p.m. ET
 

dpic73

Heisman
Jul 27, 2005
30,727
23,650
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Honest question, is this fake news?


First of all, if you follow that ignorant bot you should be shunned, but yes, this is fake news, as it always is with this laughably stupid account.

  • No public documentation or corroboration of Musk's specific "offer" exists from NASA, Biden officials, or independent records. Musk said it went to the White House (not directly to NASA leadership).


  • Senior Biden-era NASA officials (including former Administrator Bill Nelson) said they were unaware of any such high-level offer. It "did not come to my attention."


  • The Crew-9 plan (with empty seats) was set in August/September 2024 under Biden—months before the election or Trump's return. The Dragon was already at the station by late September. An earlier dedicated rescue would have been costly, logistically complex, and offered limited time savings.


  • NASA and experts (including former astronauts) described the timeline as standard operational planning. Politics was not a factor in public decisions.

"Musk's claim of a rejected political offer remains unverified—possible in private channels, but denied or unknown to key NASA figures, with no hard evidence released. Wilmore and Williams were never in immediate danger and supported the plan. The story became heavily politicized after the fact, amplified by Musk and Trump.

SpaceX performed reliably (as usual), Boeing faced more scrutiny, and the astronauts returned safely. The "rescue" narrative fits a dramatic political framing but overstates what was mostly routine (if delayed) mission management."