Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has sparked controversy by claiming that NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were 'abandoned' at the International Space Station (ISS) by the Biden administration.

This assertion was made during a Fox News interview featuring Donald Trump and Musk, wherein they discussed the status of the astronauts currently aboard the ISS.

Musk contended that the return of Williams and Wilmore was postponed for political reasons, leading to accusations from Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who called Musk's statement a 'lie.'

In response to his comments, Musk labeled Mogensen's criticism as ignorant, indicating that he had previously offered to facilitate the astronauts' return but was allegedly rebuffed by the administration.

Mogensen countered Musk's claims by stating that the astronauts' return with the Crew-9 mission was planned since September and that a rescue mission was not necessary as they would be returning on the Dragon capsule already stationed at the ISS.

Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly also weighed in on the exchange, defending Mogensen's integrity and urging Musk to refrain from disrespecting a fellow astronaut.

Musk maintained a combative stance, dismissing Mogensen's viewpoint and furthering his critique of political influences on NASA's missions.

Williams and Wilmore were initially launched to the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in June 2024. The mission, which was originally scheduled for a ten-day duration, faced several challenges that delayed the return of the crew.

NASA and Boeing decided against an immediate return, prioritizing safety after observing issues with the spacecraft.

In the interview, Musk reassured viewers of SpaceX's track record in successfully bringing astronauts back from the ISS, suggesting that the astronauts would be home in approximately four weeks.

The discourse surrounding their return underscores the intersection of space travel, corporate responsibility, and political dynamics.