Trump admin live updates: White House drops NASA nominee with Musk ties
The Senate was expected to vote on Jared Isaacman next week.
President Donald Trump on Friday claimed China violated its trade agreement with the U.S. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks between the world's two largest economies stalled.
This week, Trump's global tariff policy hit a major roadblock as two federal courts ruled he does not have the power to unilaterally impose some levies. The tariffs can stay in place, for now, as the court considers the administration's appeal.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is leaving his role as a "special government employee" but is expected to remain an unofficial adviser to Trump.
Latest headlines:
White House pulls NASA nominee Jared Isaacman, billionaire with Musk ties
The White House withdrew Saturday the nomination of Jared Isaacman to become the next NASA administrator just days before his scheduled confirmation vote in the Senate.
"It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon," Liz Huston, a spokesperson for the White House said in a statement.
Isaacman, who is the CEO of the payment processing company Shift4, has had a long history with Musk and worked with SpaceX on commercial flights into space.
During his confirmation hearing in April with the Senate’s Commerce Committee, Isaacman stated he would "prioritize sending American astronauts to Mars."
Isaacman attempted to distance himself from Musk during his confirmation hearing as he was getting grilled by Democrats on the committee.
Musk and Trump have emphasized their desire to prioritize Mars, whereas Isaacman clarified during questioning that a lunar landing would take precedence over a Mars mission.
In a post on social media, Trump confirmed he had pulled the nomination.
"After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA," Trump said without elaborating. "I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space."
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
Trump touts US Steel-Nippon deal
President Donald Trump on Friday touted a "blockbuster agreement" between U.S. Steel and Japanese company Nippon Steel that he said would keep the iconic U.S. steelmaker in Pittsburgh -- though he previously opposed such a merger and offered few details on the intricacies of the deal.
Trump discussed the deal during a rally at the Irvin Works plant in Allegheny County on Friday evening.
*.*
Trump says he's doubling tariffs on steel imports to 50%
President Donald Trump said he will double the tariff imposed on imports of steel from 25% to 50%.
Trump made the announcement during a rally in Pennsylvania on Friday to discuss the "partnership" between U.S. Steel and Japan-based Nippon Steel.
Trump said the increase in steel tariffs "will even further secure the steel industry in the United States."
Trump imposed the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum in March, about a month before he announced sweeping across-the-board tariffs on what he called "Liberation Day."
In a follow-up post on social media, Trump said the increased rate would go into effect June 4.
Musk says his child punched him in the face
Elon Musk, wearing all black, had a visible bruise over his right eye while speaking at the Oval Office.
Asked what happened, Musk said his 5-year-old son punched him in the face.
"I said, 'Go ahead, punch me in the face.' And, he did," Musk said.