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?
(this is a rhetorical question — the answer is that nobody in the Trump administration has actual job duties) pic.twitter.com/Yse9sufkyl
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 12, 2026
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?”
Hopefully one day adults will staff the Federal Government again. https://t.co/ZnFohhD8DN
— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) March 13, 2026
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.