ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Jared Isaacman, a Lehigh Valley billionaire and founder of the payment company Shift4, could still be named NASA administrator.
Isaacman, 42, who has been to space twice and performed the first private spacewalk, was nominated for the position by President Donald Trump earlier this year. His nomination was withdrawn in May.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Isaacman is competing with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is currently acting as NASA administrator. Both men have spoken with Trump and his advisers to make their case.
Isaacman told the Journal he has not hired lobbyists or advocates and has never assumed he would be renominated. Trump could announce the decision as soon as next Monday and wants the position filled by the end of the year.
Isaacman has been close to Elon Musk since flying on Musk’s SpaceX in 2021. He went to space again in 2024.
While speaking to Lehigh University students and faculty Oct. 15, Isaacman cited the need for nuclear power to produce fuel on Mars to enable efficient travel between destinations.
“NASA needs to work on why we all contribute as taxpayers on the near impossible,” he said. “What no business could ever underwrite a business model against.”
Duffy has suggested bringing NASA fully under the Department of Transportation and has discussed ambitious projects, including building a nuclear facility on the moon.
Isaacman said he respects Duffy and is grateful to Trump for the consideration.
“I just wish to see NASA continue to shine as the world’s most accomplished space agency,” Isaacman said.
