Trump calls in to NASA press conference to celebrate launch of Roman Space Telescope, a mission he tried to cancel

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. —President Trump interrupted a NASA press conference today (Aug.

30) to congratulate the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team on a successful launch.

Just a few years ago, however, the president tried to cancel this very mission.

In today's briefing, mission leadership was going through the specifics of Roman's successful launch and the science the observatory is expected to deliver when NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman got a phone call.

It was the president.

The room fell silent, though I could hear Nicky Fox, NASA associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, say, "He's not kidding." "Hello, sir," Isaacman said.

He got up to take the call outside the room but came came back in a few moments later.

"The president of the United States would like to address and congratulate everyone on this mission," he said.

"You're live, Mr.

President." Jared Isaacman takes a surprise phone call from President Trump during the post-launch briefing following the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on Aug.

30, 2026. (Image credit: NASA ) "I just want to thank everybody and congratulate you," Trump said on the phone, which Isaacman held up to the microphone and clearly displayed Trump's name.

"Boy, it looked beautiful on television ...

You are doing a fantastic job, and I'm supplying you all that money." The president spoke for more than a minute while Isaacman smiled, holding the phone up to a microphone for everyone to hear, and the crowd of journalists listened intently.

The call was mostly congratulatory, but Trump did go on a brief tangent, claiming that he has taken NASA to new heights.