Elon Musk Critiques NASA Leader Duffy Amid Rising Tensions

Elon Musk has intensified his criticism of Transportation Secretary and acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, alleging that Duffy’s lack of expertise threatens the future of the American space program. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk stated that having a NASA administrator who lacks knowledge of rockets and spacecraft “undermines the American space program and endangers our astronauts.” Musk’s comments, made on October 25, 2023, were not supported by evidence.

Musk expressed his frustration further, stating, “I am just desperate for someone with a 3-digit IQ.” He contrasted Duffy’s qualifications with a poll he conducted on X, which asked users if Duffy was qualified to lead NASA. The results showed that over 67 percent of the 190,405 voters responded with “Noo, he need moar brainz!” This was a clear jab at Duffy’s previous career as a world champion lumberjack, which Musk referenced by saying, “Should someone whose biggest claim to fame is climbing trees be running America’s space program?”

Duffy has attempted to defuse the situation while also establishing his authority in the space sector. On October 24, he announced that the $2.9 billion contract for NASA’s Artemis III lunar lander would be re-evaluated, suggesting that other companies may have a chance to bid for the project again. This contract was initially awarded to SpaceX in 2021. Duffy remarked on X, “Love the passion. The race to the moon is ON,” adding that “great companies shouldn’t be afraid of a challenge.”

In response to Duffy’s comments, Musk reshared a post that called for Duffy’s removal, labeling him as “Sean ‘Dangerously Stupid’ Dummy.” This followed Duffy’s interview with CNBC, where he stated that SpaceX was “falling behind” and that the administration would not wait for one company to lead the space program.

The tensions between Musk and Duffy are not new. Musk previously endorsed Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and SpaceX astronaut, as a candidate for the NASA leadership position. Isaacman had initially been favored during the Trump administration, but his nomination was retracted due to political disagreements. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Duffy met with Isaacman earlier this month to discuss the possibility of him taking on the NASA role.

While NASA’s Press Secretary Bethany Stevens did not confirm the details of the meeting, she emphasized that Duffy’s role is to assist in vetting candidates for the position and that he is committed to supporting whoever the president nominates. Stevens stated, “The bottom line is that Secretary Duffy is here to serve the president.”

Tensions escalated when Musk criticized Duffy’s proposed idea to consolidate NASA within the Department of Transportation, accusing him of attempting to “kill” the agency. Duffy had suggested that NASA could benefit from being part of the cabinet, ideally within the Department of Transportation.

As the debate continues, it remains unclear when a new NASA Administrator will be appointed, especially given the ongoing government shutdown that has entered its 22nd day.