Trump Offers to Pay "Overtime" Salary to Astronauts Williams and Wilmore

Last Updated Mar - 22 - 2025, 06:05 PM | Source : Fela News

Trump would allegedly pay “overtime” to astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore.

US President Donald Trump has offered to pay the overtime salary of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore, who returned to Earth earlier this week after an unexpected 9-month stay in space, out of his “own pocket”.

This statement surfaced after a retired astronaut’s video went viral on social media stating that even though they were stuck for 9 months, they’d only be paid for one month - which was their official stay period. NASA covers transportation, food, and lodging expenses, but the only additional compensation astronauts receive for their extra time is a modest daily allowance of just USD 5 (Rs 430). As a result, despite the significant physical and mental challenges they face, Williams and Wilmore will receive only USD 1,430 (Rs 1,22,980.50) in extra pay.

When Trump was asked at the White House by reporters if the astronauts would receive any extra pay, he replied, “Nobody's ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I will pay it out of my pocket.”