Dolphins Get Involved in SpaceX Rescue [WATCH]

After 286 days in space, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have safely returned to Earth, splashing down off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

The long-overdue return was assisted by two SpaceX Dragon crew members, who played a key role in their rescue mission.

The successful landing was picture-perfect, with clear weather and calm waters greeting the astronauts.

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Adding to the moment, a pod of dolphins was spotted near the recovery crew’s boat as the astronauts were retrieved from the capsule.

The unplanned welcome crew!

Crew-9 had some surprise visitors after splashing down this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/yuOxtTsSLV

— NASA’s Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 18, 2025

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Despite the excitement surrounding their return, the focus quickly shifted to why they were left in space for nearly a year—well beyond their original mission timeline.

Speaking with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump criticized former President Joe Biden for leaving the astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for months.

“Biden left them up. He abandoned them,” Trump stated. “Now they’re coming back.”

President Trump on American astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returning home:

“Biden left them up. He abandoned them… Now, they’re coming back… They have to get better…and when they do, they’ll come to the Oval Office.” pic.twitter.com/UvZp7aGsCK

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 18, 2025

The astronauts’ return had become a political issue in recent months, with Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stepping in to secure their homecoming.

Musk had previously offered to rescue the stranded crew, but the Biden-Harris administration reportedly rejected the offer.

Following their successful return, Williams and Wilmore, along with their SpaceX crewmates, were taken for standard post-mission medical evaluations.

Early reports indicate that all astronauts appeared healthy and in good spirits as they exited the capsule.

Now back on Earth, the astronauts are expected to reunite with their families before making any public appearances.

JUST IN: Suni Williams is seen being helped up after exiting the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

This is her first time feeling gravity on Earth in *9 months.*

That must be an insane feeling.pic.twitter.com/eqETiEyMUN

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 18, 2025

There is also anticipation that they will soon visit the White House to meet with President Trump and possibly Elon Musk, given SpaceX’s role in bringing them home.

Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, has been at the forefront of eliminating bureaucratic waste, fraud, and inefficiency.

His involvement in the astronauts’ return highlights his commitment to streamlining operations and prioritizing accountability within government agencies.

With Williams and Wilmore now back on U.S. soil, attention will likely turn to how and why their return was delayed.

The Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the situation remains under scrutiny, as critics argue that politics took precedence over astronaut safety.

As the Trump administration continues its focus on efficiency and accountability, the astronauts’ safe return serves as both a success story and a reminder of the challenges posed by bureaucratic mismanagement.

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