7am Part 1: Donald Trump wants to put humans on Mars
Jan 4, 2026
Emily Glazer, a Wall Street Journal reporter specializing in technology and business, dives into Donald Trump's ambitious goal to send humans to Mars with Elon Musk's backing. She discusses the global reactions to this pledge and compares it to JFK's moon speech. The conversation explores Musk's influence on NASA, revealing how his allies have secured senior roles within the agency. Glazer also examines the logistical challenges of a Mars mission and Musk's deep motivations for making humanity a multi-planetary species.
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Mars Pledge Echoed JFK-Style Momentum
- Trump's Mars pledge energized global space agencies and firms at Davos who compared it to JFK's Moon speech.
- The announcement signaled a likely White House prioritisation that reshaped funding and attention toward Mars.
Musk's Political Influence Shapes Space Agenda
- Elon Musk's influence on Trump and his team raised alarms because Musk discussed advising the administration and backed Trump financially.
- That influence framed the Mars push as intertwined with Musk's personal ambitions and corporate interests.
Isaacman's Rise Started With A Call
- Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut, has flown on SpaceX missions and socialised with Elon Musk for years.
- Musk reportedly called Isaacman to pitch him as NASA head, and Trump announced the appointment soon after.