Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Astronaut, Publicly Backs Trump Ahead of 2024 Election
31st Oct 2024
Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot of the Apollo 11 mission and pilot of Gemini 12, one of the first people to set foot on the moon, has officially endorsed Donald Trump’s candidacy for President of the United States. The legendary astronaut made a public political statement in which he insisted that only Trump could tackle the country’s pressing issues, including the growth of the space industry and America’s leadership in space.
In a statement released on X on Wednesday, 30 October, Aldrin stressed America’s potential and the need for strong leadership in addressing domestic and global challenges.
America’s Core Values & Space Legacy
The 94-year-old astronaut began his message by recalling the nation’s core values: “America is a nation of bold ambition, hope and energy. We are a nation of free thought, free association and free movement. We’re a nation that allows the best in humanity to emerge, and we aspire to great things.”
Emphasising his dedication to scientific research, Aldrin said, “I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of scientific understanding, exploration and the continued presence of man in space.”
He noted that even though 55 years have passed since the first moon landing, the spirit of exploration continues to inspire future generations.
The Role of Space in America’s Future Policy
According to Aldrin, the country’s commitment to space has “waxed and waned” over the past decades, but “during President Trump’s first term, there has been a renewed interest in space in America.”

The Trump administration’s commitment to human space exploration has manifested in some decisive policy moves. Buzz Aldrin cited the reinstatement of the National Space Council after a 25-year hiatus in 2017 and the creation of the U.S. Space Force in December 2019 as the most significant decisions. “These concrete accomplishments align with my concerns and America’s political priorities,” Aldrin wrote. He said Trump has promised to return to the moon and go to Mars as space becomes “an increasingly important and contested domain.”
He also praised fellow Trump supporter Elon Musk for his achievements in space exploration and called him a visionary of the “private-sector space economy.”
Buzz Aldrin: ‘The Best Thing To Do Is Vote For Donald Trump.’
Overall, the lunar module pilot of the Apollo 11 mission, voiced a strong support for the representative of the Republican Party: “For me, for the future of our country, for solving the enormous problems and for the proven political achievements described above, I believe the nation would be best served by voting for Donald Trump,” Aldrin said.
“I wholeheartedly support his candidacy for President of the United States. God bless President Trump, and God bless the United States of America.”
From Doubt to Support?
Aldrin’s endorsement comes as little surprise, given his active involvement in Republican politics and a relationship with Trump that dates back at least five years. In 2019, Trump invited Aldrin and other astronauts to the Oval Office to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. At the time, Aldrin expressed disappointment with the government’s investment in space exploration over the prior decade.
However, following his discussion with Trump and top NASA officials in 2019, Aldrin seemed optimistic about the future of U.S. space efforts.
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