The White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, sharply criticized former President Barack Obama on Thursday following the launch of the Artemis II mission, accusing him of dismantling the U.S. space program.
Obama had taken to X to celebrate the historic milestone: "Watching the launch of Artemis II yesterday was truly inspiring, marking NASA's first manned flight around the Moon since 1972. Our space program has always embodied the essence of aspiring beyond the possible, and I hope these four courageous astronauts on this mission inspire a new generation to follow in their footsteps."
Cheung quickly retorted, "You destroyed the space program. It's solely thanks to President Trump that this achievement is a reality."
The exchange came a day after the Artemis II launch from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 2, 2026. This marked the first human-crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in December 1972, over five decades ago.
This mission includes four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover—the first African American to journey near the Moon—, Specialist Christina Koch—the first woman on a manned lunar mission—, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, making him the first Canadian to travel to the Moon.
The Political Rift in Space Exploration
Cheung's accusation stems from a concrete history: in 2010, Obama’s administration canceled the Constellation program initiated by George W. Bush in 2004, which aimed to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020.
Science magazine had once headlined, "Obama Proposes Ending NASA's Manned Spaceflight Program." Space.com noted, "Obama's Budget Eliminates NASA's Moon Plan for a 21st Century Space Program." NBC News reported, "NASA Mourns the Loss of Its Current Effort to Send Astronauts Back to the Moon." In 2017, The Hill published an opinion piece titled "How Barack Obama Ruined NASA's Space Exploration," the same year Trump signed the Space Policy Directive 1 on December 11, 2017, to revive the nation's lunar ambitions. The next phase, Artemis III, plans for the program’s first moon landing in 2028.
Understanding the Artemis II Mission and Its Political Implications
What is the significance of the Artemis II mission?
Artemis II marks NASA's return to manned lunar missions, being the first such endeavor since Apollo 17 in 1972. It serves as a pivotal step in the renewed focus on lunar exploration and lays the groundwork for future missions, like Artemis III.
Why did Steven Cheung criticize Barack Obama regarding the space program?
Steven Cheung criticized Obama because, in 2010, his administration canceled the Constellation program, which aimed to send astronauts back to the Moon by 2020. Cheung credits President Trump for reviving U.S. lunar ambitions with the signing of the Space Policy Directive 1.
Who are the astronauts on the Artemis II mission?
The Artemis II crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Specialist Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. Each brings unique firsts to the mission, including Glover as the first African American near the Moon and Koch as the first woman on a manned lunar mission.