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Trump’s Billionaire Pick for NASA Is Back. So What Changed?

Trump’s Billionaire Pick for NASA Is Back. So What Changed?

President Trump has announced his renomination of tech billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead NASA.

“This evening, I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, as Administrator of NASA,” Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday evening. “Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era.”

Isaacman will have to go through another confirmation process, which will likely be delayed by the ongoing government shutdown. If he is not confirmed by the end of the year, he will have to resubmit conflict-of-interest paperwork, potentially dragging out the process into late spring.

In his statement, Trump did not explain why he now believes Isaacman is fit for the role after pulling his nomination in late May, but a lot went down over the past five months. Let’s take a look at how we got here.

Isaacman’s supporters stayed on the ball

Isaacman was just days away from a full Senate vote that was expected to confirm him as NASA Administrator when Trump pulled the rug out. At the time, the president said he made the decision due to concerns about Isaacman’s ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk—who had just fallen out with Trump—and his past Democratic campaign donations.

For his part, Isaacman bowed out gracefully, thanking Trump for the honor of the nomination. In July, Trump installed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as acting NASA administrator, intending for Duffy to ultimately review candidates and select a full-time space chief.

While Duffy settled into the job, high-profile supporters of Isaacman—including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer—continued to champion his bid.

Their efforts clearly gained Trump’s attention. According to Politico, Sheehy said he spoke with the president about Isaacman at a Rose Garden lunch on October 21, claiming Trump praised the former nominee and wanted to talk to Duffy about next steps. A source also informed CNBC that Isaacman had met with Trump himself to discuss the possibility of another nomination.

We may never know what was said during these talks or what arguments Isaacman and his supporters presented to Trump. Nonetheless, this determination appears to have paid off, with Trump apparently now seeing past his initial concerns.

Better aligned with Trump’s agenda

These conversations aside, the fact that Trump softened toward Isaacman just months after calling him a “blue blooded democrat” remains perplexing. However, Isaacman has made a concerted effort to distance himself from that narrative.

A month after Trump withdrew his nomination, Isaacman donated $1 million to a MAGA political action committee and made several smaller contributions to the Republican National Committee, according to the Federal Election Commission. By September, he was back in the White House for a dinner with tech industry leaders.

In the weeks that followed, however, reports strongly suggested that Duffy was jockeying to keep the space chief role for himself. Though NASA has refuted such claims, they sparked fierce competition between his supporters and Isaacman’s.

On Monday, a confidential 62-page document outlining Isaacman’s vision for NASA suddenly came to light. Sources suggested to Ars Technica that the leak originated in Duffy’s office, but this claim has not been independently confirmed.

Isaacman and his advisors drafted the plans following his original nomination, then gave an edited, 62-page version to Duffy upon his installation as acting NASA administrator. It’s unclear whether Trump had seen the document, titled “Athena,” prior to the leak, but it is interesting that Isaacman’s renomination came almost immediately after the news broke.

Reports indicate that the Athena papers contain multiple proposals that align closely with the changes Trump sought in his fiscal year 2026 budget request for NASA. For example, Isaacman recommends canceling the Gateway lunar space station and the Space Launch System (SLS)—both part of the current architecture for NASA’s Artemis program—after two more missions.

Based on the document, Isaacman would run NASA more like a business, Politico reported. He recommends increasing the agency’s reliance on the commercial space industry and carrying out extensive reorganization and cost-saving efforts. These proposals are also well-aligned with Trump’s vision for NASA.

It’s possible that the release of these plans helped solidify Trump’s renewed support for Isaacman, but this has not been confirmed. Regardless of how we got to this point, Isaacman’s renomination is a harbinger of change at NASA. Whether it’s the kind of change NASA needs remains up for debate.

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TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.


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For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

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#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office">Get Microsoft’s core productivity apps for 0 with Office 2024
                                                            TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for 9.97 (reg. 9.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
    
    
    
        
                                        
                                        
                    
                                                    9.97
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Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for 9.97 (reg. 9.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
    Mashable Deals
        
            
            
            
            
            
                By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
            
        
    

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.
        
            Mashable Deals
        
        
            
                            
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
                    
                
                        
        
    
This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for 9.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.StackSocial prices subject to change.

                    
                                            
                            
                        
                                    #Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.


$129.97
$249.99 Save $120.02

 

Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.

For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.

As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.

Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.

For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.

Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.

This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for $129.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office">Get Microsoft’s core productivity apps for $130 with Office 2024

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.


$129.97
$249.99 Save $120.02

 

Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.

For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.

As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.

Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.

For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.

Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.

This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for $129.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office
Snap, YouTube, and TikTok have settled the first lawsuit of its kind, alleging that social media addiction has cost public schools massive amounts of money, according to Bloomberg. The suit, filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, claims that social media has disrupted learning and created a mental health crisis, straining budgets. The terms of the settlement have not been revealed yet, and Meta is still facing a trial in the same suit, which is viewed as a bellwether for over 1,000 similar lawsuits across the country

This follows an earlier case, settled by Snap and TikTok, in which a 19-year-old plaintiff claimed significant personal injury due to addictive social media apps. Google and Meta did not agree to a settlement in that suit, and it eventually went to trial, where a jury awarded the plaintiff $6 million. Meta also recently lost a suit brought by New Mexico’s Attorney General, to the tune of $375 million.

Beyond monetary awards, many, including New Mexico, are pushing for significant changes to social media apps to limit their harm to minors. And this is just the start of what’s shaping up to be a busy year for social media lawsuits. According to Bloomberg, lawyers representing school districts said their “focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.”

#Snap #YouTube #TikTok #settle #suit #harm #studentsCreators,Facebook,Law,Meta,News,Policy,Snapchat,Social Media,Streaming,Tech,TikTok,YouTube">Snap, YouTube, and TikTok settle suit over harm to studentsSnap, YouTube, and TikTok have settled the first lawsuit of its kind, alleging that social media addiction has cost public schools massive amounts of money, according to Bloomberg. The suit, filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, claims that social media has disrupted learning and created a mental health crisis, straining budgets. The terms of the settlement have not been revealed yet, and Meta is still facing a trial in the same suit, which is viewed as a bellwether for over 1,000 similar lawsuits across the countryThis follows an earlier case, settled by Snap and TikTok, in which a 19-year-old plaintiff claimed significant personal injury due to addictive social media apps. Google and Meta did not agree to a settlement in that suit, and it eventually went to trial, where a jury awarded the plaintiff  million. Meta also recently lost a suit brought by New Mexico’s Attorney General, to the tune of 5 million.Beyond monetary awards, many, including New Mexico, are pushing for significant changes to social media apps to limit their harm to minors. And this is just the start of what’s shaping up to be a busy year for social media lawsuits. According to Bloomberg, lawyers representing school districts said their “focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.”#Snap #YouTube #TikTok #settle #suit #harm #studentsCreators,Facebook,Law,Meta,News,Policy,Snapchat,Social Media,Streaming,Tech,TikTok,YouTube

Bloomberg. The suit, filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, claims that social media has disrupted learning and created a mental health crisis, straining budgets. The terms of the settlement have not been revealed yet, and Meta is still facing a trial in the same suit, which is viewed as a bellwether for over 1,000 similar lawsuits across the country

This follows an earlier case, settled by Snap and TikTok, in which a 19-year-old plaintiff claimed significant personal injury due to addictive social media apps. Google and Meta did not agree to a settlement in that suit, and it eventually went to trial, where a jury awarded the plaintiff $6 million. Meta also recently lost a suit brought by New Mexico’s Attorney General, to the tune of $375 million.

Beyond monetary awards, many, including New Mexico, are pushing for significant changes to social media apps to limit their harm to minors. And this is just the start of what’s shaping up to be a busy year for social media lawsuits. According to Bloomberg, lawyers representing school districts said their “focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.”

#Snap #YouTube #TikTok #settle #suit #harm #studentsCreators,Facebook,Law,Meta,News,Policy,Snapchat,Social Media,Streaming,Tech,TikTok,YouTube">Snap, YouTube, and TikTok settle suit over harm to students

Snap, YouTube, and TikTok have settled the first lawsuit of its kind, alleging that social media addiction has cost public schools massive amounts of money, according to Bloomberg. The suit, filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, claims that social media has disrupted learning and created a mental health crisis, straining budgets. The terms of the settlement have not been revealed yet, and Meta is still facing a trial in the same suit, which is viewed as a bellwether for over 1,000 similar lawsuits across the country

This follows an earlier case, settled by Snap and TikTok, in which a 19-year-old plaintiff claimed significant personal injury due to addictive social media apps. Google and Meta did not agree to a settlement in that suit, and it eventually went to trial, where a jury awarded the plaintiff $6 million. Meta also recently lost a suit brought by New Mexico’s Attorney General, to the tune of $375 million.

Beyond monetary awards, many, including New Mexico, are pushing for significant changes to social media apps to limit their harm to minors. And this is just the start of what’s shaping up to be a busy year for social media lawsuits. According to Bloomberg, lawyers representing school districts said their “focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.”

#Snap #YouTube #TikTok #settle #suit #harm #studentsCreators,Facebook,Law,Meta,News,Policy,Snapchat,Social Media,Streaming,Tech,TikTok,YouTube

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