Billionaire Ridge High School Dropout, Trump Nominee To Lead NASA

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Jared Isaacman, an American billionaire businessman, pilot and Ridge High School dropout, was named as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s new administrator.

The Senate confirmed the 42-year-old with a 67-30 vote on Wednesday. President Donald Trump nominated the private citizen explorer for a second time in November after he withdrew his candidacy in May.

"The support from the space-loving community has been overwhelming. I am not sure how I earned the trust of so many, but I will do everything I can to live up to those expectations," said Isaacman following his nomination in November.

Thank you, Mr. President @POTUS, for this opportunity. It will be an honor to serve my country under your leadership. I am also very grateful to @SecDuffy, who skillfully oversees @NASA alongside his many other responsibilities.

The support from the space-loving community has… pic.twitter.com/CUpyTXfB14
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 4, 2025

Montana Senator Tim Sheehy praised Trump for selecting Isaacman.

"For nearly 70 years, the United States has been at the forefront of space exploration. President Trump knows how critical it is to reinvigorate NASA as we aim to reach new heights in the greatest frontier ever known, and that’s why he chose exactly the right man for the job," said Sheehy on X.

More than 20 years ago, Isaacman dropped out of Ridge High School in Basking Ridge to pursue a career in computer technical service and repair, according to Bernardsville News.

He ended up founding a retail payment processing company that was later renamed as Shift4 Payments, where he still serves as CEO.

In 2021, Isaacman was part of the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth. He bought an entire Space X commercial flight called Inspiration 4 in which he and three other specially selected civilians orbited the earth to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, according to mrlocalhistory.org.

The Road To Nomination

While Trump never relayed a concrete reason why Isaacman was removed from consideration on the first go around, he did face criticism in the Senate due to his close ties to Elon Musk at a time when Musk was on his way out of the White House as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

I am incredibly grateful to President Trump @POTUS, the Senate and all those who supported me throughout this journey. The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the…
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) June 1, 2025

There were also reports that his past donations to Democrats may have caused Trump to balk at the nomination after he had said that "the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda."

In his original post on Truth Social in December 2024, Trump praised Isaacman during his nomination and said, "Jared will drive NASA's mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology, and exploration."

NASA's previous full-time administrator, Bill Nelson, stepped down on the day of Trump's last inauguration on Jan. 20.

Isaacman's official swearing-in date is yet to be announced.

— With reporting by Eddie Callahan

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