Elon Musk has sparked a heated feud with astronauts after suggesting that two NASA crew members, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were kept aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for political reasons. Musk made the claim during an interview with Donald Trump on Fox News, alleging that their extended stay was a result of decisions by the Biden administration.

European astronaut Andreas Mogensen quickly called Musk’s statement false, which led to an escalating exchange. Musk defended his claim, asserting that SpaceX could have brought them back months ago. NASA and other astronauts, including Scott Kelly, pushed back, emphasizing that the crew’s return was planned for safety reasons and logistics.

Williams and Wilmore have rejected the narrative of being “stranded,” reaffirming their commitment to the mission. NASA maintains its focus on astronaut safety and mission success.