Internal drama over who will serve as NASA Administrator played out on the public stage last week after Acting Administrator Sean Duffy seriously ticked off SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. It would appear the ensuing spat has some Trump administration officials hot under the collar too.

Two sources familiar with the matter told CNN that some White House officials have grown frustrated with Duffy—who also serves as Transportation Secretary—over the NASA leadership squabble. Sources recently told the Wall Street Journal that Duffy has expressed interest in turning his temporary NASA role into a permanent one, but Jared Isaacman—Trump’s original nominee—has re-emerged as a competing candidate.

Gizmodo reached out to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the White House for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Duffy pokes the bear

Behind-the-scenes tensions made headlines on October 20 after Duffy said SpaceX had fallen behind in its effort to return Americans to the Moon and announced that he would reopen the company’s Artemis 3 contract. This prompted CEO Elon Musk to hurl insults at Duffy via X.

Much of his vitriol centered around Duffy’s ability to effectively lead NASA—a role Musk had hoped would go to his close business associate, Isaacman. In one X post, Musk referred to Duffy as “Sean Dummy.” In another, he wrote: “The person responsible for America’s space program can’t have a 2 digit IQ.”

President Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination in June, citing concerns over the billionaire’s past Democratic campaign donations and his ties to Musk. Trump and Musk had already been sparring over government spending, but the president’s decision to pull Isaacman’s nomination added fuel to the fire, igniting a monthslong feud.

Trump installed Duffy as acting NASA administrator in July with plans to name a permanent administrator at a later date, but as the government shutdown drags on, it’s unclear whether he will do so before the year ends.

Isaacman vs. Duffy

The role of NASA administrator has taken on new significance under President Trump, who has made U.S. spaceflight a focal point of his agenda despite simultaneous efforts to slash NASA’s funding and workforce.

Duffy and Isaacman would each bring very different perspectives to the table. While Isaacman has real spaceflight experience and industry knowledge, Duffy offers unwavering loyalty to the Trump administration.

Despite losing his original NASA nomination, Isaacman has garnered support from several lawmakers—including longtime friend Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT)—and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer. He recently met with Trump to discuss the possibility of another nomination, a source familiar with the talks told CNBC.

Meanwhile, Duffy is reportedly jockeying for the position himself. Sources told CNN that he has also expressed interest in folding NASA into the Department of Transportation and suggested to the president that he be part of the hiring process for the administrator role.

A NASA spokesperson denied that latter account to CNN, but according to the Wall Street Journal, Duffy did interview Isaacman for the job on October 13. That had to have been awkward.

“Sean is grateful that the President gave him the chance to lead NASA,” agency press secretary Bethany Stevens told Gizmodo via email.

“At the President’s direction, Sean has focused the agency on one clear goal—making sure America gets back to the Moon before China,” Stevens said. “Sean said that NASA might benefit from being part of the Cabinet, maybe even within the Department of Transportation, but he’s never said he wants to keep the job himself.”

It’s unclear where the battle over NASA’s top position will go from here, but at this point, the selection process could bleed into next year. The agency is mired in uncertainty as the fate of its leadership, funding, staffing, and several key missions hangs in the balance. Whoever wins the title of NASA Administrator will certainly have his work cut out for him.