Lehigh Valley billionaire Jared Isaacman may be back in the running to lead NASA, report says

Jared Isaacman’s goal of heading NASA remains a possibility, according to a report in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal. The founder and executive chair of Shift4, a payment processing company based in Upper Saucon Township, is currently in a competition with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to lead the space agency.

Isaacman, who built a personal fortune while pursuing his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, was nominated for the NASA administrator position by President Donald Trump earlier this year. However, his nomination was withdrawn in May following a “thorough review” of his “prior associations.”

Recently, Duffy, who is the acting NASA administrator, interviewed Isaacman for the role on October 13, the Journal reports. Both men have reportedly been lobbying behind the scenes, with associates of both Duffy and Isaacman engaging with President Trump and members of his administration to present their cases.

One notable figure involved is Pete Meachum, Duffy’s chief of staff, who raised concerns about Isaacman’s approach of hiring lobbyists and social-media influencers to support his candidacy. Responding to these claims, Isaacman stated to the Journal, “I don’t have any paid lobbyists or advocates and I have never expressed confidence about a renomination at any point.”

President Trump is reportedly aiming to make an announcement as soon as Monday and hopes to have the position filled by the end of the year, especially as NASA looks to ramp up its space exploration efforts.

Isaacman, 42, resides in Northampton County with his family and has been a close collaborator with Elon Musk since chartering his first flight on Musk’s SpaceX in 2021. He traveled to space again in 2024, reaching a peak altitude of 870 miles and performing the first private spacewalk.

When Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination in May, the New York Times reported that the president was displeased with Isaacman’s past support for Democratic candidates, including U.S. Senator and fellow astronaut Mark Kelly, and former U.S. Representative Susan Wild. This development also coincided with Trump’s falling out with Musk regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein investigation files.

The Journal further revealed, based on federal election records, that Isaacman has made efforts to win Trump’s favor, including donating $1 million to a MAGA-related fund this year. He has also cultivated relationships with pro-Trump media figures, such as conservative commentator Benny Johnson.

Meanwhile, Sean Duffy has advocated for placing NASA fully under the Department of Transportation. According to the Journal, Duffy has engaged with private companies on initiatives including space stations and establishing a nuclear facility on the moon by the end of the decade.

In his statement to the Journal, Isaacman expressed respect for Duffy and appreciation for their interactions. “I’m grateful to all the supporters and to President Trump for the consideration, and most of all, I just wish to see NASA continue to shine as the world’s most accomplished space agency,” he said.
https://www.mcall.com/2025/10/21/lehigh-valley-billionaire-jared-isaacman-may-be-back-in-the-running-to-lead-nasa-report-says/

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