Rumors have spread across social media claiming that the Trump administration plans to eliminate NASA, sparking widespread outrage and concern about the future of America’s space program. The claims quickly went viral, prompting Elon Musk to issue a strong warning and publicly criticize acting NASA Administrator and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy.
Viral Claims About NASA’s Elimination
A post from a news aggregator on X (formerly Twitter) alleged that the Trump government was “considering eliminating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).” Another widely shared post claimed the administration was planning to “get rid of or reduce NASA,” suggesting that the private sector would step in to fill the gap.
However, these reports remain unverified. While some media outlets have noted budget reductions under consideration, there is no official confirmation that NASA is being shut down.
Public Backlash Over the Rumor
The online reaction was immediate and intense. Critics warned that eliminating NASA would be a catastrophic move for U.S. science, innovation, and national security.
“This would be such a disastrous decision,” one user wrote. Another said, “We can’t afford to fall behind Russia and China in space exploration.” Others pointed out NASA’s monumental achievements, from landing on the Moon to leading deep-space missions, as evidence of its irreplaceable importance.
What’s Actually Happening
According to the Planetary Society, the Trump administration’s proposed FY2026 budget includes significant funding cuts that could cancel up to 41 planned space missions. Despite this, no credible government statement or document suggests the complete elimination of NASA.
The reduction in funding appears to be part of broader budget-tightening efforts rather than a plan to dissolve the agency.
Elon Musk’s Fierce Response
The controversy escalated when Elon Musk weighed in on X, directly attacking Sean Duffy, who currently serves as both acting NASA Administrator and U.S. Transport Secretary.
“Sean Dummy is trying to kill NASA!” Musk wrote in a post, accusing Duffy of undermining the agency’s independence.
He also shared a report from Ars Technica suggesting that Duffy had been lobbying lawmakers to fold NASA into the Department of Transportation — effectively ending its autonomy. “He’s meeting with senators, trying to take credit for NASA’s achievements without actually running the agency,” the report claimed.
If true, such a move wouldn’t eliminate NASA entirely, but it would strip it of its independence, making it part of another department — a major structural and political shift.
Political Power Struggle Inside NASA
Musk’s criticism reportedly stems from tensions between SpaceX and the current administration. Duffy allegedly told the media that SpaceX was lagging behind U.S. timelines for returning astronauts to the Moon, comments that drew Musk’s ire.
The feud also coincides with an ongoing leadership struggle within NASA. Duffy is rumored to want the permanent administrator role, while businessman and astronaut Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, has been mentioned as a possible nominee. Trump’s earlier nomination of Isaacman was withdrawn in May, and Duffy was appointed interim head soon after.
Musk made his position clear in a sarcastic post questioning Duffy’s qualifications:
“Should someone whose biggest claim to fame is climbing trees be running America’s space program?” he wrote, referencing Duffy’s past as a world champion tree climber.
The Bottom Line
As of now, there is no verified evidence that the Trump administration plans to abolish NASA. While significant budget cuts and administrative changes may be under discussion, the claim that NASA will be eliminated appears to be false.
Elon Musk’s warnings highlight a growing concern in the tech and space industries that political interference could weaken NASA’s independence — a move that critics say would jeopardize America’s leadership in space exploration.