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FURTHER READING: NASA terminates DEI initiatives deemed as squandering public funds
A
California
A woman has ignited anger online after turning down her ‘ideal’ position.
NASA
because of ‘the present government.’
Daniela Lucas, a 26-year-old PhD student in bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego, recently shared a
TikTok
In this video, she demonstrates turning down an internship opportunity with the space agency’s Human Health and Performance division.
In the 19-second video snippet, Lucas theatrically brushes her palms across her visage, seemingly wrestling with a choice, accompanied by somber tunes playing behind the scene.
She documented the instant when she opened the acceptance letter, shifted the cursor towards ‘Decline Offer’, and subsequently pressed ‘Submit’.
No one prepares you for how difficult it can be to turn down an opportunity from your ideal internship at NASA.
due to the present government leadership
As she revealed in the clip.
Lucas also mentioned that she had spent years working toward landing an internship with the space agency, only to have to decline the opportunity.
The PhD student has now deactivated her TikTok account, yet the video gained significant attention on X.
where people are shocked
that Lucas might pass up an incredible chance.
‘This is just sad. I mean, it’s good for NASA, obviously, but these young people are letting four years of a president they don’t like limit them so much. It’s heartbreaking. The Democrats have a lot to answer for,’ one X user commented on the video.
NASA’s internships are considered ‘prestigious’ with over 2,000 students applying for a spot each year.
Nevertheless, recent estimations indicate that the acceptance rate stands at merely five percent, as reported.
Space Crew
, a site showcasing opportunities at leading aerospace firms.
The program that Lucas got accepted into centers around people dwelling, operating, and excelling in outer space.
The program’s website states, ‘Our aim is to guide the worldwide spaceflight sector in safeguarding astronauts’ well-being and enhancing human mission efficiency.’
Even though Lucas has restricted her access to social media,
her student page
On the UC San Diego website, it remains visible, the
New York Post
reported.
She was born and brought up in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to Florida with her physician dad and family in 2015.
Career has contacted Lucas for comments but hasn’t received a reply as of now.
As stated in her biography, ‘I was resolute in making a positive influence to ensure my parents’ migration endeavors were justified.’
‘The whole journey began with a full scholarship at a nearby community college, Miami Dade College.’
Her dramatic decision
has spread rapidly on X
, where it has been seen and discussed by millions of people.
One commenter noted, “She will have second thoughts about it later. Such chances don’t present themselves frequently.”
An additional point was made: “If her political views influenced her choice to intern at NASA so significantly, it may be better this way. This could mean she might inject political perspectives into the work environment.”
“I think NASA avoided an asteroid there,” another user quipped.
‘This has to be fake. No way someone is smart enough to land a NASA internship only to turn it down,’ said another. ‘But if it’s real—she sure showed them! Or… not.’
“Self-cancellation. This marks the ultimate boundary for the socially conscious,” a commentator noted.
A number of users noted that during the internship, Lucas wouldn’t necessarily have to deal with President Donald Trump personally.
Although the Trump administration suggested significant budget reductions for NASA in the fiscal year 2026 proposal, including almost halving funds for its science initiatives, the president nonetheless undertook important steps to back the organization during his initial term.
In 2017, he revived the National Space Council to streamline and coordinate U.S. space policies among various federal agencies and the private sector.
In that very year, he put his signature on the INSPIRE Women Act, which pushes NASA to encourage STEM education and career opportunities for females.
NASA likewise initiated the Artemis program during Trump’s guidance.
planning to send Americans back to the moon with the aim of landing ‘the first woman and the next man’ by 2024
.
Nevertheless, because of Trump’s position on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, mentions of “the first woman” regarding America’s comeback to the lunar surface have been taken out of the public eye.
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