NASA Astronauts Refute Claims of Being Stranded on ISS for Political Reasons

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams clarify their extended ISS stay, addressing Elon Musk's and Donald Trump's assertions.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been on the ISS since June 2024 due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
The astronauts were originally scheduled for an eight-day mission but agreed to an extended stay to support ISS operations while awaiting a safe return plan.
Elon Musk claimed he offered to bring the astronauts back early, but both the astronauts and NASA leadership stated they were unaware of such an offer.
Wilmore emphasized that their extended mission was planned for contingencies and not influenced by political considerations, countering claims by Musk and former President Donald Trump.
The astronauts are set to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on March 19, marking the conclusion of their extended mission.