Former President Donald Trump recently expressed his willingness to cover the overtime pay for two astronauts who spent an extended period aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Trump made the remark during an interview with Fox News’ Peter Doocy on March 21, 2025, after being informed that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore had not been compensated for overtime despite spending 286 days in space.
According to a report from Forbes, Doocy explained that while astronauts receive a standard salary, they are not compensated for overtime, even when they are stationed on the ISS for months. In the case of Williams and Wilmore, their extended stay resulted in them being eligible for an additional $1,430, which accounts for the $5-per-day incidental allowance given to astronauts.
“Nobody ever mentioned this to me,” Trump responded during the interview. “If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my own pocket.”
The 78-year-old former president assured viewers, “I’ll take care of that.”
NASA’s Official Explanation of Astronaut Pay
Earlier this week, NASA addressed the matter publicly, confirming that astronauts aboard the ISS receive their regular salaries, which are based on a standard 40-hour workweek. However, NASA clarified that astronauts do not receive overtime, weekend, or holiday pay during their time in space.
A statement from NASA explained that astronauts on the ISS are considered to be on official government travel and thus are compensated according to federal travel regulations. While they do receive a daily incidentals amount, this is adjusted depending on the length of their mission, reducing the total payment based on the duration of their stay.
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“While in space, NASA astronauts are on official travel orders as federal employees, so their transportation, lodging, and meals are provided,” the statement said. “They also are on long-term Temporary Duty (TDY) and receive the incidentals amount for each day they are in space.”
Despite the incidentals allowance, astronauts do not receive overtime pay for the extended hours spent working on the ISS.
Trump’s Criticism of Biden Administration’s Space Program
Trump also weighed in on the astronauts’ prolonged stay in space, suggesting that the delay in their return was the result of mishandling by the Biden administration. In a post on Truth Social earlier this year, Trump criticized President Joe Biden for what he described as abandoning the astronauts in space, calling on Elon Musk and SpaceX to “go get” the astronauts.
Trump’s comments stirred some controversy, as NASA had been working with SpaceX for several months on a plan to return the astronauts to Earth. The astronauts’ return had already been scheduled for late March, well before Trump’s remarks.
In a tweet dated January 28, 2025, Trump expressed frustration with the situation, stating that the astronauts had been “virtually abandoned in space” and needed to be brought back immediately. He specifically urged SpaceX to expedite their return.
Despite Trump’s criticism, NASA clarified that the agency had been in communication with SpaceX and other partners to manage the astronauts’ extended mission and ensure their safe return to Earth. In fact, the astronauts’ journey home was carefully planned, and NASA had always anticipated their return to occur no earlier than late March 2025.
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Astronauts Speak Out About Their Experience
Both Williams and Wilmore have publicly refuted claims that they were abandoned or stranded in space. During an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper in February, Wilmore addressed these allegations, explaining that while some people might believe they were left behind, the astronauts were prepared for any unforeseen circumstances that could arise.
“We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded,” Wilmore stated, emphasizing that they were trained and equipped to handle the unexpected nature of their mission.
The astronauts had initially arrived at the ISS in June 2024, expecting to stay for a relatively short mission of about 10 days. However, due to technical issues with their spacecraft, their return was delayed. After several weeks of troubleshooting, the spacecraft was eventually sent back to Earth, but Williams and Wilmore remained aboard the ISS to continue their mission.
Safe Return to Earth
After spending nine months in space, Williams and Wilmore finally began their journey back to Earth on March 18, 2025. At 1:05 a.m. EST, the pair undocked from the ISS and began their return, just days after a new crew arrived at the station.
Their spacecraft safely splashed down off the coast of Florida on the evening of March 18, where they were greeted by rescue teams and fellow astronauts. The astronauts were also welcomed by dolphins, which were seen swimming near the landing site.
Their safe return marked the end of an extended mission that included numerous challenges and the perseverance required for space exploration. The pair’s resilience in the face of adversity has been praised by both NASA and the public.
A Historic Mission and Continued Support
While the extended mission of Williams and Wilmore garnered attention for its length, it also underscored the complexities and unpredictability of space exploration. Their mission highlights the critical role of agencies like NASA and private companies like SpaceX in ensuring the safety of astronauts during prolonged stays in space.
Trump’s offer to cover the astronauts’ overtime pay reflects his willingness to go the extra mile for those who serve in space, although NASA maintains that the financial aspect of the mission has been handled according to standard federal procedures.
As the space program continues to evolve, the dedication of astronauts like Williams and Wilmore will undoubtedly remain a central focus. Their successful return marks another milestone in human space exploration, showing the resilience and determination required for missions beyond Earth.
