Trump watches Musk’s SpaceX Starship launch in Texas

President-elect Donald Trump, who once ridiculed Elon Musk’s SpaceX for launching “rocketships to nowhere,” fully embraced the company Tuesday during a trip to coastal Texas to see the latest test of the Starship megarocket.

Trump, wearing a red MAGA hat, watched from under a tent with Musk at his side as the megarocket launched into the sky near Brownsville. The rocket is a key part of Musk’s plans to populate Mars. 

The appearance was another sign of the deepening relationship between Trump and Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest businessmen, who is serving as an all-purpose adviser after having helped Trump win the White House for a second time two weeks ago.

Trump, who has endorsed a Mars mission, announced his visit on X, the Musk-owned social media app. 

“I’m heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground. Good luck to @ElonMusk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project!” he said. 

They were joined by several other guests, including Donald Trump Jr., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Linda McMahon, the former professional wrestling executive who is helping lead Trump’s transition.

Musk talked excitedly to Trump during the launch event as Trump watched mostly stoically. The rocket took off about 5 p.m. ET, and shortly afterward, its booster appeared to land successfully in the Gulf of Mexico.

Musk then gave Trump a tour of a nearby office, and Trump mingled with guests outside. They did not immediately deliver public remarks as the Starship’s upper stage flew on a trajectory toward the Indian Ocean.

Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, said on X that he was honored to have Trump at the event.