Astronaut Reid Wiseman’s response to former President Barack Obama’s Instagram post about Artemis 2s safe return is sparking discussion online.
Obama paid tribute to Wiseman, his three crewmates Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen and everyone at NASA following the successful completion of their journey around the moon.
However, for many, it was Wiseman’s response, written under the handle @astro_reid that proved the biggest talking point. “On behalf of myself, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy…. THANK YOU Mr. President!”
Why It Matters
Wiseman’s decision to directly respond to Obama’s post comes nearly a week on from President Donald Trump’s awkward live call with the Artemis 2 crew during their mission.
In footage widely shared on social media, the call seemed to hit a major hiccup with neither the president nor any of the four astronauts speaking for a whole minute. Trump blamed the awkward silence on a “nine-second delay”; however, some online have suggested that the silence started because the astronauts had nothing to say in response to Trump.
Wiseman’s decision to reply directly to Obama has fueled further speculation over the astronaut’s political leanings. Wiseman did not respond to Trump’s Instagram post marking Artemis 2’s safe return.
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What To Know
In a post featuring pictures of the Artemis 2 crew and several shots of the moon, Obama wrote: “What the Artemis II astronauts did over the last 10 days was a testament to their bravery. And the fact that they traveled farther from Earth than anyone ever has, reentered our atmosphere at more than 24,000 mph, and splashed down safely was a testament to human ingenuity. Thanks to everyone at @NASA for making this mission possible, and for taking us along for the ride.”
The post has been liked over 770,000 times and shared over 8,400 times.
Wiseman’s response has been liked over 20,000 times already.
Though it is common for former presidents to continue to be referred to by the moniker “Mr President,” Wiseman’s decision to refer to Obama using the term was something many on Instagram picked up on as potentially telling, given the awkward call and lack to reply to Trump’s Instagram post.
One user commented: “oh yes this comment is VERY loaded IYKYK [if you know, you know] hahaah our forever MR PRESIDENT.” Another claimed the reply “confirmed they [the Artemis 2 crew] hate Trump.”
A third user, seemingly referencing the awkward call with the current president, commented, “silence was loud btw [by the way],” with a fourth commenting: “we know this is the Presidential call you would have preferred up there.”
A fifth, meanwhile, wrote, “this comment needs to be pinned!!!!” with a sixth commenting: “Mature citizen with a Mature Hero.”
Newsweek has contacted Wiseman and the White House for comment.
