NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens, whose X profile reads “Serving President Trump under the leadership of the NASA Administrator” (Jared Isaacman), was scolded by retired NASA astronaut and former International Space Station commander Terry Virts for a comment she made against liberal media influencer Aaron Rupar.
As seen below, Rupar shared a clip of Isaacman — a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut who became NASA administrator in December — defending President Trump’s decision to initiate a military strike on Iran. Isaacman said: “You can’t let a country have nuclear weapons or highly enriched uranium.”
Rupar wrote: “lmao why is the NASA administrator going on Fox and railing against Iran? (this is a rhetorical question — the answer is that nobody in the Trump administration has actual job duties).”
lmao why is the NASA administrator going on Fox and railing against Iran?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 12, 2026
(this is a rhetorical question — the answer is that nobody in the Trump administration has actual job duties) pic.twitter.com/Yse9sufkyl
Stevens, a former press secretary for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), replied to Rupar: “Because he was asked. Unsurprisingly, you weren’t! Unlike you, he’s got a long list of qualifications that make him exactly the right person to speak on the intersection of space and national security: – founder of a military aerospace company – commercial astronaut – first civilian to spacewalk – NASA Administrator Thank you for your interest in America’s space program.”
Anyone else remember when NASA was staffed by competent people focused on mission, not on “owning the libs?”
— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) March 13, 2026
Hopefully one day adults will staff the Federal Government again. https://t.co/ZnFohhD8DN
Virts replied to Stevens: “Anyone else remember when NASA was staffed by competent people focused on mission, not on ‘owning the libs?’ Hopefully one day adults will staff the Federal Government again.”
Note: Not all NASA administrators were former NASA astronauts. Most recently, during the first Trump administration, Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) led the agency. Former U.S. Senator (D-FL) and space shuttle astronaut Bill Nelson served as the NASA Administrator under President Biden.
