Overview
- Acting administrator Sean Duffy said NASA will not wait for one company and will invite competitors such as Blue Origin to accelerate the Artemis human lander as SpaceX’s Starship schedule slips.
- Elon Musk mocked Duffy online, accused him of trying to kill NASA, and posted a derogatory GIF that intensified the dispute.
- West Wing aides are described as frustrated with Duffy for reigniting the fight with Musk, and reporting says his standing has weakened.
- Duffy has promoted keeping NASA under the Department of Transportation, a shift critics say would end the agency’s independence and reshape its priorities.
- Observers warn the feud carries business risk for Musk, as NHTSA confirmed it is gathering information on Tesla’s new “Mad Max” driving mode following reports of unsafe behavior.