Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy hit back at reality TV star Kim Kardashian’s comments that the 1969 moon landing was faked on social media, as several users urged Duffy to focus on space expeditions instead.
Speaking on the latest episode of her TV series The Kardashians, Kardashian told co-star Sarah Paulson that she believes the moon landing “didn’t happen.”
In the episode, Kardashian shows Paulson an interview with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who along with Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
“I’m sending you a million articles with Buzz Aldrin and the other,” Kardashian says, before reading a quote allegedly from Aldrin about the expedition’s scariest moment:
“There was no scary moment because it didn’t happen. It could have been scary, but it wasn’t because it didn’t happen,” he reads.
Sean Duffy vs Kim Kardashian
After the broadcast, Duffy — who also serves as secretary of the Department of Transportation — clapped back at Kardashian on X, writing: “Yes @KimKardashian, we’ve been to the moon already…six times!” He added: “And even better: @NASAArtemis returns under @POTUS. We won the last space race and we will win this one.”
To which Kardashian replied, “Wait… what’s that tea on 3I Atlas?!?!!!!!!!!!!?????” She was referring to an interstellar comet that sparked widespread curiosity — a remark that also drew a response from Duffy.
In a separate post, he explained: “Great question! @NASA observations show that this is the third interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. No aliens. No threat to life here on Earth. 3 = third, I = interstellar, meaning outside our solar system, ATLAS = discovered by our Impact Early Warning System (ATLAS) team.”
Duffy further invited Kardashian to attend the launch of the Artemis mission at the Kennedy Space Center.
“We love your enthusiasm for our Artemis mission to the moon. You are officially invited to launch at the Kennedy Space Center!” he added.
Social networks are responding
The interaction on X prompted curious netizens to join the discussion. Here’s how they responded:
One person commented: “Elon needs to understand that little Duffy isn’t paying attention because he’s playing with Kim Kardashian on X. Total and utter disgrace.”
Another said: “Keeping up with the Kardashians? Why don’t we focus on keeping up with the Chinese on the moon and beating them instead?” The person added, “Last week, Secretary Duffy went on cable TV to criticize HLS supplier and NASA partner SpaceX, and today he’s more focused on addressing the reality TV flop amid the ongoing government shutdown and the race to beat China to the moon. Meanwhile, SpaceX today shared an extensive HLS update that shows real progress and promise in meeting its Artemis III commitments, on or ahead.”
“We need a full-time administrator who is fully dedicated to the NASA workforce — not reality TV stars and cable news hits,” the individual said.
