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Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin endorsed President Donald Trump for president, according to a news release on Wednesday.
Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, a Brigadier General, Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11 and Gemini 12 pilot, provided a statement of support in his enthusiastic endorsement.
“Over the years, I have seen our government’s approach to space wax and wane, a fluctuating dynamic that has disappointed me from time to time. But under the first Trump Administration, I was impressed to see how human space exploration was elevated, made a policy of high importance again,” Aldrin stated.
“Under President Trump’s first term, America saw a revitalized interest in space. His Administration reignited national efforts to get back to the Moon, and push on to Mars – programs that continue today,” he continued.
Aldrin also highlighted the creation of the Space Force under Trump’s leadership as a monumental achievement of his first term in office.
“The Trump Administration also reinstituted the National Space Council, so leading voices could advocate for the importance of space to America. Finally, under President Trump, the Nation’s defense was enhanced with the creation of the U.S. Space Force– increasingly important as space becomes a contested domain,” he wrote.
The NASA legend expressed his excitement for future space exploration as well, mentioning SpaceX leader Elon Musk as one of the nation’s “visionaries” in the field.
“At the same time, I have been enthused and excited by the great advancements in the private sector space economy, led by visionaries like Elon Musk. These are concrete accomplishments that align with my concerns and America’s policy priorities,” Aldrin said.
Aldrin’s endorsement highlight Trump’s leadership beyond space as a key part of his endorsement.
“The Presidency requires an understanding of human nature, clarity in judgement, decisiveness, knowledge, understanding, and calm under pressures few have a natural ability to manage, or the life experience to successfully undertake. It is a job where decisions are made that routinely involve American lives – some urgently but not without thought. The job requires sober analysis of frightening scenarios, and the instinct to lead with resolve,” Aldrin explained.
“For me, for the future of our Nation, to meet enormous challenges, and for the proven policy accomplishments above, I believe the nation is best served by voting for Donald J. Trump. I wholeheartedly endorse him for President of the United States. Godspeed President Trump, and God Bless the United States of America,” he concluded.