Politics & Government
Buzz Aldrin After Meeting Trump: ‘Keep America Great In Space’
Famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin had an "excellent" meeting with President Donald Trump. "Keep America great in space," he tweeted afterward.
“Keep America great in space.” This was the message from famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin after his recent meeting with President Donald Trump.
On Friday, Aldrin — a New Jersey native who was part of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 — was invited to the Oval Office at the White House for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of his historic moon walk alongside Neil Armstrong.
- See related article: Montclair Honors Buzz Aldrin On 50th Anniversary Of Moon Landing
After the face-to-face, Aldrin posted a message that lit up the comments section of his Twitter page:
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“Just had an excellent meeting with President Donald Trump! We discussed America’s future in space, ways to address space challenges, and the need to keep exploring beyond the horizon. Keep America Great in Space!”
Aldrin’s post was promptly retweeted by Vice President Mike Pence.
Just had an excellent meeting with President Donald Trump! We discussed America’s future in space, ways to address space challenges, and the need to keep exploring beyond the horizon. Keep America Great in Space!! #Apollo50 #ApolloXI https://t.co/zv2LgoCheD
— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 19, 2019
.@TheRealBuzz, @AstroMCollins, and the family of Neil Armstrong will be at the White House today to meet with President @realDonaldTrump! #Apollo50
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 19, 2019
It wasn’t the first time Aldrin has come face to face with Trump. In 2017, while the president made a speech about an executive order to revive the National Space Council, Aldrin started rolling his eyes and making perplexed faces.
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The resulting video footage immediately went viral.
However, Aldrin has also lent support to some of Trump’s ideas, such as creating a sixth branch of the U.S. military called the “Space Force.”
In August 2018, the moonwalker tweeted a big-thumbs up for Trump’s suggestion: "One giant leap in the right direction #SpaceForce."
Aldrin, a graduate of Montclair High School, was commenting on a tweet from Vice President Mike Pence which read:
"Since day one of our administration, @POTUS has kept his promise to restore America's proud legacy of leadership in space. Now the time has come to write the next great chapter in the history of our Armed Forces. The time has come to establish the United States #SpaceForce."
Many Twitter users praised Aldrin for continuing his longtime advocacy of the nation’s space program. Seen online:
OMG but I thought we all had to hate Trump? I’m confused... is the media wrong?
— Kenny Wolf (@Kaydee57293711) July 19, 2019
Great to hear Buzz! Ignore the haters, keep up your inspiring work!
— Leo Fernevak (@fernevak) July 19, 2019
You might get some flak for this, but the advancing of the American Space program is a good thing, no matter who's sitting behind the desk at the White House.
— JDL™ (@acceleratingJoe) July 19, 2019
The replies here are incredibly hateful for the people who claim to be against hate. Let's take it for what it is, a post from an American hero excited about expanding the exploration of space! THAT is the message here.
— (@WeWentBlue) July 19, 2019
Other Twitter users weren’t so thrilled.
"Punch him in the face for us," one person joked, referring to the time Aldrin clocked a moon landing denier in the face after being called a "coward" and a "liar."
Also seen online:
My first thought was how could you keep from throwing up in prescence of such malevolent evil. Then I remembered that you went to the moon and the fortitude required for that endeavor.
— S. Edward Johnson (@Nullcopilot) July 19, 2019
I used to want to be an astronaut when I was a child. Few get to achieve that dream. I used to greatly admire you, until now
— Sunshine Hamilton (@pixievixen3000) July 19, 2019
You could make a case that @TheRealBuzz is a single-issue person who advocates for space w/ every administration, but when he paraphrased Trump’s campaign slogan, he crossed a line. Kids are in cages & the POTUS is a racist, lawless, authoritarian. Delete this, Buzz.
— Drew Dellinger (@drewdellinger) July 19, 2019
ummmm, he is cutting nasa funding and defunded the nasa education program???
— 'BT' (@BillyTwy) July 19, 2019
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