Last Updated:
Buzz Aldrin endorses Donald Trump for president, praising his leadership and space policies while criticizing Kamala Harris ahead of the election
Donald Trump greets Buzz Aldrin during an Apollo 11 50th anniversary commemoration event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 19, 2019. (Reuters)
Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, officially endorsed former US President Donald Trump, just a week before the November 5 presidential election.
“The presidency requires an understanding of human nature, clarity in judgment, decisiveness, knowledge, understanding, and calm under pressures few have a natural ability to manage,” Aldrin said. In a statement released on October 30, the famous US moonwalker highlighted his experiences, from combat in Korea to landing on the moon, as evidence of his understanding of high-pressure decision-making.
https://t.co/oZekfkFKVZA half-Century ago, it was an honor to serve my country in the effort to put a human being on the Moon. I am proud of what we accomplished then and I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of an enduring human presence in space – it is a calling that runs…
— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) October 30, 2024
Close Trump-Kamala Contest
Polling data indicates a tight race between Harris and Trump, with Harris holding a slight lead at 49% compared to Trump’s 48%, according to The Economist’s poll tracker. Nate Silver’s forecast suggests Harris is ahead by 0.9 points, with a 71% chance of winning the popular vote.
Aldrin’s endorsement also reflects his support for the US Space Force, established during Trump’s first term. He praised the former US president for revitalising interest in human space exploration and making it a priority again. “Under President Trump’s first term, America saw a revitalised interest in space,” Aldrin noted.
US Space Force
The US Space Force was created on December 20, 2019, as the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces, tasked with protecting American interests in space, according to Newsweek. Its mission includes safeguarding satellites and other space assets from adversarial threats.
Aldrin is celebrated not only for his historic Apollo 11 mission but also for his advocacy of future space exploration. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a former fighter pilot during the Korean War, Aldrin became an iconic figure in human spaceflight history when he followed Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.
After retiring from NASA, Aldrin authored several books and has been vocal about his vision for human missions to Mars. He has also shared his personal struggles with depression and alcoholism, using his experiences to inspire others.
As early voting continues nationwide, both Trump and Harris are making their final appeals to voters ahead of Election Day.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)