Astronomy, it seems, finds itself at the mercy of political caprice and economic machinations yet again. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), once poised to revolutionize observational astronomy from the unparalleled vantage point of Mauna Kea, faces cancellation. Not due to heartfelt protest by everyday Hawaiians, but under the blunt axe wielded by the DOGE-driven economic philosophy championed by Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, with Elon Musk’s tacit endorsement (at least until his next ketamine-infused revelation).
The latest federal budget proposed by Trump slashes 56% from the National Science Foundation’s already stretched $9 billion funding, with TMT explicitly cut out in favor of the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile, already backed by substantial private wealth[1]. Ironically, while local activists opposed TMT on cultural and environmental grounds, it wasn’t their legitimate grievances that stopped construction, but the whims of ultra-wealthy power brokers who have no stake in Hawaiian culture or the pursuit of scientific truth.
Why build the TMT at all? Mauna Kea remains one of the most scientifically valuable observing sites globally, boasting atmospheric stability, clarity, and minimal light pollution ideal for groundbreaking discoveries. The mountain has given us Nobel Prize-winning insights into the accelerating universe, the first direct imaging of extrasolar planets, and pivotal studies of distant galaxy formation[2]. With its massive mirror, TMT promises unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution, surpassing current telescopes, enabling humanity to probe deeper into the universe’s infancy, unravel dark matter, and possibly detect life-bearing exoplanets[3].
Yet, despite these compelling reasons, the economic rug has been pulled out, ostensibly to curb governmental waste but realistically to fund tax cuts for individuals wealthy enough to afford private Hawaiian islands. Musk, now the richest person on Earth, recently voiced his opposition to cuts in space science funding, likely realizing that DOGE economics is less effective at fostering long-term exploration and innovation than at generating Twitter memes and temporary market bubbles[4].
Musk’s own well-documented ketamine adventures further underscore the surreal disconnect between decision-makers and the scientific community[5]. Wealthy individuals dictate outcomes not by informed debate, but by the sheer weight of their fiscal whims. Hawaiian protesters argued passionately for recognition of their cultural rights and the systemic mismanagement of Hawaiian Homelands, the real justice issue overshadowed by the photogenic spectacle of telescope opposition[6].
Indeed, the Hawaiian Homelands crisis remains unresolved, with thousands of eligible Kanaka Maoli families still awaiting promised land leases while housing prices spiral beyond affordability. There is some hope for change as the Hawiian homelands department is awarding thousands of leases[7]. Mauna Kea protests highlighted genuine issues of water quality, environmental stewardship, and sacred site preservation, but these critical points were scarcely considered in the budget deliberations that halted TMT.
Instead, the wealthy, who have never truly driven the scientific agenda, enjoy their privileged views uninterrupted. They get a pleasant tax break, while ordinary Hawaiians remain tethered to an economy dangerously dependent on tourism, increasingly priced out of their own islands.
It’s my sincere hope, rooted in realism rather than idealism, that both TMT and genuinely sustainable, affordable housing for the Kanaka Maoli and all Hawaiians can find funding. That would represent true progress, a win-win situation far removed from the hollow victories currently celebrated.
References
[1] Hawaii News Now. “New federal budget proposal cuts funding to Thirty Meter Telescope.” May 31, 2025. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/05/31/new-federal-budget-proposal-cuts-funding-thirty-meter-telescope/
[2] University of Hawai’i News. “UH Astronomy Faces Massive Budget Cuts.” June 10, 2025. https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2025/06/10/uh-astronomy-faces-massive-budget-cuts/
[3] National Academies of Science. “Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020).” https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/decadal-survey-on-astronomy-and-astrophysics-2020-astro2020
[4] Elon Musk opposes space funding cuts, as stated on his verified social media platforms and public interviews. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5245162-elon-musk-opposes-nasa-funding-cuts/
[5] Musk’s admitted ketamine use has been widely reported, e.g., BBC News. “Elon Musk allegedly took large amounts of drugs including ketamine while advising Trump – report” https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65723241
[6] Farmer, Hontas. “Thirty Meter Telescope: Observation Is Not Desecration! Astronomers Stand For Truth Not Defamation.” Science 2.0. https://www.science20.com/profile/hontas_farmer
[7] Reducing the Hawaiian homestead waitlist: DHHL on track to award 2,600+ leases in 2025 https://mauinow.com/2025/04/26/reducing-the-hawaiian-homestead-waitlist-dhhl-on-track-to-award-2600-leases-in-2025/
