'Out of my pocket'—Trump to compensate Sunita Williams for overtime
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has vowed to personally pay astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore for their prolonged stay in space.
This promise was made after he found out that the duo had been paid only $5/day for the extra time they spent in space. For 286 days, that is $1,430 in extra pay.
He made the announcement while interacting with Fox News journalist Peter Doocy at the Oval Office.
Official response
Trump's reaction to astronauts' low compensation
When Doocy told Trump about the paltry pay of the astronauts, he seemed shocked and said, "Well, nobody's ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I'll pay it out of my own pocket... That's not a lot for what they had to go through."
The President also thanked Elon Musk for making sure Williams and Wilmore returned safely from space.
NASA's stance
NASA's compensation policy for astronauts
Jimi Russell, spokesperson for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, clarified by email that astronauts are on official travel orders as federal employees when in space.
He said they don't get overtime or holiday pay. Their transport, meals and lodging are borne by the agency.
However, they do get daily "incidentals" allowance of $5 per day, equal to per diem payment in lieu of reimbursements.
Criticism
Trump criticizes Biden administration's handling of astronauts' return
Trump and Musk have slammed former President Joe Biden for his handling of the situation with the astronauts.
Musk had earlier blamed "political reasons" for the delay in their return.
Trump accused Biden of not acting quickly, implying he was going to leave them in space due to concerns over publicity. The delayed return plan was first set by NASA.