Artemis II Crew Left Visibly Uncomfortable After Trump Pulls Them Into NATO Remarks

The four astronauts who made history aboard NASA's Artemis II mission arrived at the White House on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The visit was meant to be a celebration of one of the most significant achievements in human spaceflight in decades. It didn't stay that way for long.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian mission specialist Jeremy Hansen completed a historic flyby of the moon roughly three weeks earlier, setting a new record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. The mission, Artemis II, marked the first time humans have passed the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman accompanied the crew to the White House.

Celebration Turns Awkward

What began as a recognition of the crew's achievements quickly shifted when Trump turned to Isaacman to discuss NATO, expressing frustration that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had declined a U.S. request for NATO allies to join military efforts related to Iran.

"What do you think of that, Jared? Sending help after we win the war?" Trump said. He then waved a hand toward the astronauts behind him. "I don't want to get you guys involved, but I can imagine what you're thinking," Trump added. The remark drew no visible agreement from the crew. Video footage circulated widely online showed the astronauts visibly uncomfortable — grimacing, pursing their lips, and averting their eyes as the president continued his remarks to reporters.