In a recent development from Washington, D.C., former U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking promise to personally compensate astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore for their extended mission stay in space. The two astronauts received only USD 5 per day for their extra time aboard the International Space Station (ISS), amounting to a modest sum for such a demanding assignment. This issue was highlighted during a media interaction in the Oval Office when Fox News journalist Peter Doocy questioned Trump about their remuneration, stating, “They got USD 5 a day for 286 days, which totals USD 1,430.” Trump’s response was emphatic, expressing his willingness to cover any shortfall: “If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my own pocket…That’s not a lot for what they had to go through.”
Trump also extended his gratitude to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, for safely bringing the astronauts back to Earth. He remarked, “I want to thank Elon Musk… and if we didn’t have Elon, they could have been up there a long time.”
According to Jimi Russell, a spokesperson for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, the compensation practices for astronauts differ from typical employment scenarios. Russell confirmed via email that while astronauts on the ISS are on official travel orders as federal employees, they do not receive overtime, holiday, or weekend pay. Instead, their needs—transportation, meals, and lodging—are provided for, and they receive a daily per diem, which is a standard incidental allowance of USD 5. This allowance is akin to what other federal employees receive when traveling for work.
Trump also addressed the growing pressures facing Elon Musk, referencing recent challenges the entrepreneur has encountered. “He’s gone through a lot, what they’re doing to him. And these people are going to be caught, and they’re going to be prosecuted…There’ll be no leniency and no pardons,” Trump stated.
Previously, Trump had stirred discussions by suggesting severe penalties for those found sabotaging Tesla operations. In a post on Truth Social, he highlighted that individuals caught vandalizing Tesla vehicles and facilities could face up to twenty years in jail. This declaration followed an uptick in activities targeting Tesla since Musk assumed the role of the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The company has faced protests and acts of vandalism aimed at its vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations.
This article underscores the blend of aerospace ambition and corporate intrigue, with high-profile figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk at its core, and highlights the unconventional per diem structure for astronauts. In an era where public investment in space exploration is a buzz topic, the discourse around astronaut compensation and corporate accountability continues to capture attention.
This article touches on key topics such as NASA, space travel, astronaut compensation, Elon Musk, SpaceX, Tesla, and Trump’s administration, ensuring it is SEO-optimized to engage readers searching for news on these developments.
Original Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/us-president-trump-says-he-will-pay-out-of-his-pocket-to-the-astronauts-who-got-back-from-space/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-22 11:21:00
