Donald Trump received an out-of-this-world endorsement earlier in the week. Buzz Aldrin, famed astronaut of the Apollo 11 mission and one of the first humans to set foot on the moon, has publicly endorsed the former president in the 2024 presidential race.
In a statement released Wednesday, Aldrin praised Trump’s focus on space exploration during his first term and pointed to significant policy decisions that he believes demonstrate Trump’s commitment to advancing the space program.
“America is a nation of bold ambition, hope, and energy. We are a nation of free thought, free association, and free movement. We are a nation that allows the best of humanity to emerge, and we strive for great things. Only in America, the nation that I love, believe in, and took an oath to defend, do you find our spirit, the vision to break boundaries, turn impossible feats into reality.
A half-Century ago, I was part of an important effort to put a human being on the Moon. It was an honor to serve my country in that capacity. I am proud of what we accomplished then. While it has been 55 years since Americans set foot on the Moon, the only nation ever to do so, that effort continues to inspire new generations of Americans – to press ahead, blaze new trails of understanding, and expand our presence in space, For All Mankind. I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of scientific understanding, exploration, and an enduring human presence in space. The importance of that mission, that calling, runs through every fiber of my being.
Over the years, I have seen our government’s approach to space wax and wane, a fluctuating dynamic that has disappointed me from time to time. But under the first Trump Administration, I was impressed to see how human space exploration was elevated, made a policy of high importance again. Under President Trump’s first term, America saw a revitalized interest in space. His Administration reignited national efforts to get back to the Moon, and push on to Mars – programs that continue today.
The Trump Administration also reinstituted the National Space Council, so leading voices could advocate for the importance of space to America. Finally, under President Trump, the Nation’s defense was enhanced with the creation of the U.S. Space Force– increasingly important as space becomes a contested domain. At the same time, I have been enthused and excited by the great advancements in the private sector space economy, led by visionaries like Elon Musk. These are concrete accomplishments that align with my concerns and America’s policy priorities.
Aldrin and Trump’s relationship goes back to at least 2019, when Trump invited astronauts to the White House to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, noted Politico. At the time, Aldrin voiced concerns over the pace of government-funded space exploration, expressing disappointment with NASA’s investments in the field over the previous decade. Aldrin has long been vocal about the importance of maintaining American leadership in space, and his endorsement appears to align with his ongoing advocacy for ambitious U.S. space policy.
The former astronaut, who has a history of supporting conservative candidates, previously spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 2016 and has endorsed GOP candidates in local elections. With his latest endorsement, Aldrin emphasized the value of choosing leaders who will prioritize America’s future in space.
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