• Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld claimed President Joe Biden stranded astronauts in space, sparking controversy.
• Former astronaut Scott Kelly debunked the claims, explaining that the extended mission was a safety decision.
• NASA ensured the astronauts had a safe return plan, with no political motivations involved.

Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly recently made headlines during a live appearance on Fox News, where he addressed misinformation about two astronauts’ extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The controversy began when Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld claimed on The Five that former President Joe Biden was to blame for leaving the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Kelly, however, quickly debunked this narrative.

Setting the Record Straight on “Stranded Astronauts”

During the live segment, Fox News host Bret Baier asked Kelly about the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who spent nine months in space despite being scheduled for an eight-day mission. But before answering, Kelly took a moment to address Gutfeld’s earlier comments.

Absolutely the truth. They call him names or whatever cause he’s Mark Kelly’s brother.
I’m a fair person. Fox News is lying to everyone.

pic.twitter.com/A0ZJlXLN6b

— DavidfromMd (@DavidfromMd2) March 19, 2025

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“Bret, before I get into that—let me say this. On The Five, they mentioned these astronauts were ‘stranded by President Biden.’ That’s just not true,” Kelly clarified. He explained that the astronauts always had a designated spacecraft ready to bring them home. The extended stay, he noted, wasn’t political but purely operational. “Decisions like this boil down to safety and practicality,” he added.

Why NASA Made the Call

According to Kelly, the malfunction of the astronauts’ original capsule required NASA to send a replacement vehicle. The safest solution was to leave Wilmore and Williams on the station since they were the only two crew members available to keep operations running smoothly.

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Kelly emphasized, “They weren’t stranded—they always had a ride home. The choice to keep them in space was simply about ensuring the space station continued functioning.”

Transitioning back to Baier’s question, Kelly admitted that mentally preparing for such unexpected mission extensions can be taxing. “They were only supposed to be there for eight days, but NASA handled it right. It’s tough, but astronauts are trained for these situations,” he shared.

Astronauts Address the “Stranded” Narrative

The narrative of being “abandoned” gained traction when Gutfeld referred to Wilmore and Williams as “the two astronauts Joe Biden left in space.” However, Wilmore and Williams have repeatedly shut down these claims.

Last month, in an interview with CNN, Wilmore stated, “We don’t feel abandoned or stuck.” Instead, he urged for a shift in perspective. “Our human spaceflight program trains us for any and all contingencies. Let’s change the rhetoric to ‘prepared and committed.’ That’s what we stand for,” he protested.

Why Astronauts Rise to the Occasion

Wrapping up his comments, Kelly praised the two astronauts’ resilience. “Butch and Suni are experienced aviators and test pilots. Sure, it might have been mentally challenging, but they rose to the occasion,” said Kelly.

He concluded, “They’re probably just thrilled to be home now.”

Share Your Thoughts!

The claims of “stranded astronauts” have sparked serious debate, but Kelly’s explanation paints a clear picture of NASA’s decision-making process. What’s your take on this story? Join the conversation in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this article to help spread accurate information. Visit The Dupree Report for more insights and updates.

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