President Donald J. Trump marked the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on Sunday by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to American space leadership and outlining future goals for NASA and the private sector.
In an official message recognizing Space Exploration Day, Trump praised the 1969 moon landing as a “new and uncharted era of human ingenuity” and pointed to his first-term space initiatives as building on that legacy.
“As the entire world watched in awe, American astronauts stepped onto the lunar surface and planted the beautiful Stars and Stripes on the rocky soil,” the message read. “Our flag stood as a marker of National achievement, signaling to the entire world the unmatched might and unwavering resilience of the American spirit.”
Trump highlighted his reestablishment of the National Space Council and the creation of the U.S. Space Force, calling space policy a national priority. He also referenced passage of what he called the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which secured what he described as a “historic investment in human space exploration.”
The message reiterated Trump’s plans to return Americans to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis campaign—“this time to stay”—and ultimately to place “the first boots on Mars.” It also emphasized expanding public-private partnerships “with the greatest aerospace companies in the world to launch rockets, build landers, and deliver advanced technology.”
Trump credited “our incredible Guardians in the U.S. Space Force” with securing America’s interests in exploration, defense, and communication beyond Earth.
“We are building strength, expanding freedom, and ensuring that the American flag remains the ultimate symbol of leadership across the final frontier,” Trump concluded.