cryptojournalist
A High-Flying Nominee
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Jared Isaacman, billionaire fintech CEO and skilled pilot, to lead NASA. If approved by Congress, Isaacman will succeed Bill Nelson as the 15th NASA administrator.
Why Isaacman?
Isaacman runs Shift4, a fintech company handling over $260 billion annually. He co-founded Draken International, a defense contractor for the U.S. military, and maintains close ties with SpaceX and Elon Musk.
He’s no stranger to space, having led 2021’s all-civilian Inspiration4 mission and 2024’s Polaris Dawn mission, where he became the first private citizen to complete a spacewalk.
More Than a CEO
Isaacman is an accomplished pilot certified to fly military and civilian aircraft. His experience includes stunt aviation, demonstrating his ability to manage high-pressure situations. Trump praised him as a forward-thinking leader for NASA’s ambitious goals.
Other Key Appointments
Isaacman’s nomination is part of Trump’s active transition efforts. Trump also plans to replace SEC Chair Gary Gensler with Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto advocate, and selected Michael Faulkender for Deputy Treasury Secretary. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may also join the team as Secretary of Defense.
