The aerospace community was caught off-guard this week by President Trump’s withdrawal of tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman’s NASA nomination.

Announced days before the Senate’s likely confirmation of Isaacman, the withdrawal sparked a swirl of rumors and concerns, as budget cuts loom and NASA stretches into its sixth month without a leader.

Trump, in a social media post over the weekend, offered few details but said his decision was made after a “thorough review of prior associations.”

One space policy executive called the reasoning “complete bull----.”

“That’s like the worst excuse in the world,” said the executive, who was granted anonymity to speak freely about withdrawal.

Isaacman's nomination had already advanced through the Senate Commerce Committee in a 19-9 vote and was expect

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