President Trump spoke by phone with the Artemis II crew on Monday night, shortly after their spacecraft completed a record-setting lunar flyby that took them farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13.
The President congratulated Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, calling them “modern-day pioneers.”
It's clear they've inspired the entire nation. But it's also clear they've inspired Trump, who offered relentless praise and asked questions like a curious fan.
"We have a lot of things to be proud of lately, but there's nothing like what you're doing - circling around the moon for the first time in more than a half a century and breaking the all-time record for the farthest distance from Planet Earth," he told the crew.
"At long last, America is back, and America is back in many ways stronger than ever before."
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President Trump also asked questions about the mission and wondered what the crew was feeling as they embarked on a historic journey.
"What was your feeling when you had no communication?" he asked Glover, referencing the 40-minute timeframe in which astronauts lost contact with NASA as they journeyed around the far side of the moon.
"I said a little prayer, but then I had to keep rolling," Glover replied. "I was actually recording scientific observations of the far side of the moon. We were busy up here working really hard, and I must say, it was actually quite nice."
Also nice? Trump extended a personal invitation for the entire crew to visit him in the Oval Office upon their return to Earth. In an age when athletes and entertainers are constantly preening for their bleeding-heart liberal fans by declining invitations to the White House, the crew of the Artemis was immediately thrilled.
"I really look forward to, when we can, I look forward to seeing you in the Oval Office," the President said, adding that he'll give them "a big salute" on behalf of the American people. He even requested their autographs.
"I don't really ask for autographs much, but you deserve that," he quipped.
The crew responded with immediate enthusiasm, accepting on the spot and saluting the president in return. Even the Canadian astronaut fired off a return salute.
"Thank you for that, Mr. President. And when you want us, we will be there," Glover replied. "And thank you for your leadership ... really thank you for taking the time out today to visit NASA. It's really special for us, but it's really special for the team on the ground."
"A whole team of people all around the world pulled this off, and we just want to say thank you to all of you for this. It is the thrill and honor of a lifetime to have been on this journey. Today was amazing," he added. "But this entire three-year journey has been amazing."
"And it was made possible by the American people and the Canadian people, and we're so grateful to you all."
.@POTUS to the Artemis II crew: "I look forward to having you in the Oval Office at the White House, and we will celebrate your incredible achievements and triumphs... I've been pretty busy also, as you know, but I will absolutely find the time... I'm going to be giving you a big… pic.twitter.com/4kP9N8vChS
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
Remarkably, as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman notes, these heroes expressed hope that their mission would be forgotten, a footnote to further lunar exploration and missions to Mars.
"On the far side of the Moon, 252,756 miles away, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy have now traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history and now begin their journey home," Isaacman said. "Before they left, they said they hoped this mission would be forgotten, but it will be remembered as the moment people started to believe that America can once again do the near-impossible and change the world."
Trump will no doubt treat them as the heroes they are when they visit the White House.
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