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Donald Trump has left people baffled after claiming that he started the Artemis II programme that saw NASA astronauts take a historic journey around the Moon.
The four astronauts involved in the Artemis II captured the hearts of America and beyond when they travelled further from the Earth than any humans have in history.
But, it seems one person in particular is keen on claiming some of that success for themselves – none other than US president Trump.
In a bizarre interview with Fox News, Trump appeared to suggest that it was him who was responsible for the programme, despite that being demonstrably false.
“They were great. I spoke to them as they were circling, right, just after they came out of the dark, that dark cavity. Great, they’re great. I’m the one that started that programme. NASA was closed, it’s totally closed. There was grass growing on the runways,” Trump claimed.
CNN fact-checked Trump’s misinformation-laden interview, explaining: “NASA has been in continuous existence since its founding in 1958, and major NASA initiatives began during the pre-Trump presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
“In fact, the space launch system (SLS) used in the recent Artemis II lunar flyby was developed under Obama beginning in 2011, while the Orion spacecraft used in Artemis II also predates Trump’s time in office.”
On social media, people began sharing an image of the very same Artemis II crew with Joe Biden, taken in the Oval Office years prior, in response to Trump’s claim.
“‘I started that program….NASA was closed’…..umm ok…..here’s Biden with the crew of Artemis II at the White House in 2023,” someone pointed out.
Another claimed: “He lies so easily, and his cult believes him.”
Former NASA Deputy Administrator, Lori Garver, commented: “Unbelievable falsity. Presidents of both parties have crafted policies and proposed budgets to advance NASA and it has never been ‘closed’.”
Someone else mocked: “A year from now the orange clown will claim to have been one of the astronauts.”
“Another f’ing blatant lie,” another wrote.
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