Astronaut tells CNN 'entire' Trump administration deserves credit for Artemis mission success

Anderson, who spent 167 days living and working in space on the International Space Station, spoke to Abby Phillip about how he felt about this latest accomplishment.

"I think it's great for them," he said. "I'm very envious. I would love to be with them in that tiny little capsule, being so close to the moon," he said. "But it's very important, and I agree with what Miles [O'Brien] said, that we got to be the best. We've got to be the leaders in space exploration. And so I love the fact that we finally have committed after 54 years to begin this journey again."

Phillip then pressed him for his thoughts on a recent statement from the president, asking the astronaut, "In your view, Clayton, does President Trump deserve credit for - he said today that he was given a choice to shut NASA down or keep it going. Do you think he deserves any credit for keeping it going?"

Anderson suggested the entire administration deserved credit, arguing that politicizing this accomplishment is missing the point.

He continued, noting, "It takes appropriate budget money, as we all know. We hope that the budget money will continue to be there because it will be required for us to get to Artemis III and then Artemis IV. So, you know, everybody's taking credit."

"I'm taking credit by being on your show and saying, 'Hey, I was an astronaut for a while. You know, I lived on the space station. Give me some credit!'" Anderson said. "So, you know - so it's, it's kind of a - it's a humanitarian success." 

Phillip agreed, saying that after having spent 167 days in space, Anderson indeed deserved to "get all the credit," and thanked him for his service.