Did Jared Isaacman buy his way back?
Isaacman made nearly $1.5 million in donations to the Republication National Committee and MAGA, Inc. in June following the withdrawal of his nomination for NASA Administrator in May.
Ars Technica has characterized the renomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA as a “stunning comeback". MSNBC called it a “weird reversal”.
In some ways, it is.
Ostensibly, Isaacman’s nomination was pulled back on May 31st after a "thorough review of prior associations” [Truth Social], meaning that he had made contributions to Democratic Party election efforts as recently as October 2024. But this was at the same time as the fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk [NPR], who had pushed for Isaacman’s nomination in the first place. This fallout, and the withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination, are often connected [Ars Technica].
What to make of Isaacman’s renomination to lead NASA? The recent Ars Technica describes Isaacman as “walking away graciously” when his nomination was pulled in May. An anonymous insider described him as “a class act.” [MSN]
But let’s consider Isaccman’s donations. Federal Election Commission filings show that In 2024 prior to the election, Isaacman donated a total of $132,600, all to Democratic party candidates or other Democratic party organizations. Following the 2024 election and prior to his nomination and its withdrawal on May 31st, he donated a total of $18,500 to Republican candidates and organizations.
However, following the withdrawal of his nomination, he donated a whopping $1,443,000 to the Republication National Committee and MAGA, Inc.
Sometimes, money tells the simplest story.
