President Trump Calls Artemis II Crew, Discusses Mars Dreams, Canadian Pride, and Making History
President Donald Trump spoke via satellite with the 4-person crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission on April 7, 2026, becoming the first president to have a live conversation with an astronaut beyond low-Earth orbit in more than 50 years.
The crew, Commander Reed Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, had just completed the longest journey to the Moon, breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13 and reaching approximately 253,000 miles from Earth. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman answered the phone while sitting on the ground.
Trump on what the Mission means to America
The president opened by crediting the country’s broader success, citing America’s return to the moon for the first time since the Apollo program ended more than 50 years ago.
Today you made history and made all of America really, really proud. We’ve had a lot to be proud of lately, but this is it, nothing like what you’re doing, orbiting the moon for the first time in over half a century and breaking the all-time record for the furthest distance from planet Earth. Humans have never seen anything like what you are doing in manned space. No astronaut has been to the moon since the days of the Apollo program. The Apollo program was also very special, but that was 50 years ago, and America is finally back, and America is back in many ways stronger than ever.
Commander Wiseman on seeing the Far Side
When Trump asked what was the most memorable part of the day, Wiseman explained when the crew landed in a place no crew had ever seen before.
As we get closer to the moon, we see all the things we’ve seen on Earth all our lives, but seeing them with the other eye, we begin to see the far side. We saw sights, places of the east that no one had seen before, even at Apollo, and that was amazing to us. And then the surprise of the day, we just came out of the eclipse where the sun sets after the moon, and the whole black moon was almost that big right in the window. We could see the corona of the sun and we could see the planetary train lined up, and we saw Mars, and we all remarked how happy we were to watch this nation and this planet become a kind of two planets.
Victor Glover on Social Media Blackout
Trump pressed the crew to make it sound like losing all contact with Earth while passing behind the Moon. Glover gave a very specific answer.
Jeremy Hansen On Environmental Differences Between Near and Far Sides
Trump asked if the crew could see the difference between the two hemispheres of the Moon. Mission Scientist Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut, gave a detailed answer before turning to thank the president directly.
Earth’s gravitational pull has had a huge effect on the near side of the moon, changing all those dark spots, those dark areas of the moon that you see on Earth. It’s very different on the far side. While you do see little patches of those mari in the deep holes, there aren’t too many on that side, so that’s really neat. And I still have the microphone, sir, I want to thank you on behalf of Canada. The leadership in space that you talked about coming from America is really amazing. A nation that leads like that and then creates and sets great goals for humanity that brings other countries along with it is truly a miracle. I know that’s a very intentional decision, to lead by example and allow other countries like Canada to share their gifts and help achieve these worthwhile goals, like establishing a presence on the moon and eventually going to Mars. Canadians are proud to be a part of this program.
Christina Koch On Seeing The World Again
Koch described when the crew returned from the far side and reconnected with home.
One of the highlights was coming back from the far side of the moon and having the first glimpse of planet Earth again after being out of touch for about 45 minutes. It really just reminds you that we have a special place and how important it is for our nation to lead and not follow in deep space exploration.
Trump on Wayne Gretzky and Canadian Pride
After Hansen’s remarks, Trump shared that he had reached out to prominent Canadians about the job, checking with the hockey legend before speaking to Hansen directly.
I have to say that I spoke to a very special person, Wayne Gretzky, who I think you know, great, and I spoke to your Prime Minister and many other friends that I have in Canada. They are proud of you, and you are very brave. I’m not sure if they would want to do that. I’m not sure the big one would want to do that, to be honest with you, but you have a lot of courage to do what you’re doing, a lot of bravery and a lot of intelligence, but they’re very proud of you.
Later, after a brief communication interruption interrupted the call, Trump went back to make sure the message got through.
I was just saying that they are very proud of your brave Canadian on board, and Wayne Gretzky is a good friend of mine, and he is proud of them, and the Prime Minister I spoke to, they are very, very honored that you have a brave Canadian. You have a lot of brave people from Canada, so it was great.
Wiseman confirmed that the staff heard it for the first time.
Yes, Mr. President, we heard that, and we love our Jeremy Hansen. We love all our Canadian astronauts. They are just good people and welcome to our army.
Trump Invites Staff to the Oval Office
The call ended when the president extended the invitation to Washington.
I look forward to seeing you in the Oval Office. I’m going to ask Jared to bring it and I’m going to ask for your autograph because I don’t ask for autographs very often, but you deserve it. You really are something. Everyone is talking about this, and I look forward to having you in the Oval Office at the White House, and we will celebrate your incredible achievements and victories. This is great. These are really big things. The whole world is talking about it, and if you have time, I will certainly find time. I’ve been busy as well, as you know, but I will absolutely find the time, and I’ll be giving you a big hat on behalf of the American people and beyond.
Wiseman accepted on behalf of the staff.
Thank you for that, Mr. If you want us, we will be there. Thank you for your leadership. Thanks to Jared for his leadership. A whole group of people around the world have withdrawn this. We would like to thank you all for this. It is the joy and honor of my life to be on this journey.
