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Trump praises NASA chief’s ‘beautiful ears’, jokes about ‘super hearing’ during White House event

The interaction took place during an event centered on NASA’s work, where Trump went on to praise the officials and astronauts present.

Published on: Apr 30, 2026, 22:27:47 IST
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US President Donald Trump made a light-hearted remark about NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a White House exchange, briefly shifting focus from policy questions. According to Metro UK, Trump redirected a reporter’s question to Isaacman, saying he was best placed to respond.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman listens while US President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Artemis II astronauts in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. (REUTERS)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman listens while US President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Artemis II astronauts in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. (REUTERS)

He then added: “You heard that question with those beautiful ears of yours? He’s got great hearing… he’s got super hearing,” prompting reactions from those present.

Isaacman replied: “Trick of the trade, sir.”

Event moves back to space achievements

The interaction took place during an event centered on NASA’s work, where Trump went on to praise the officials and astronauts present.

“I’m very proud of these people. They have unbelievable courage,” he said, emphasizing the demands of space missions. He also joked about his own fitness, suggesting he would have “no trouble” qualifying physically for such missions.

At one point, Trump asked whether a sitting president could travel to space, to which Isaacman responded: “We can get working on that, sir! If we can put up more rockets, there are more opportunities.”

Also Read: Trump cracks ‘awkward’ marriage joke to Melania amid Jimmy Kimmel’s 'widow' uproar: 'We won’t match, darling'

Isaacman, who took charge as NASA administrator in December, is a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut. He commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission launched in 2021, and later led Polaris Dawn, where he became the first private citizen to perform a spacewalk.

In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing NASA’s programs and advocating for funding decisions, including those under the Trump administration.

NASA leadership

Isaacman’s appointment has drawn attention due to his links with SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk. Critics have raised concerns about potential overlaps between NASA’s priorities and private-sector ambitions, particularly regarding Mars exploration.

Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel firing row: When Trump joked about his own death; ‘should be fired for that’

Debate has also intensified following suggestions about the future of the International Space Station, adding to scrutiny around NASA’s long-term strategy.

Pluto debate resurfaces

Separately, Isaacman recently weighed in on the long-standing debate over Pluto’s status.

“I am very much in the camp of ‘make Pluto a planet again,’” he said, indicating that discussions within the scientific community could revisit the issue.

  • Prakriti Deb
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Prakriti Deb

    Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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