New Delhi, July 11 -- US President Donald Trump appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as NASA's interim administrator on July 9, praising his "TREMENDOUS job" rebuilding infrastructure. Duffy, 53, accepted the role enthusiastically, tweeting: "�� Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let's launch".

The move came after Trump abruptly withdrew billionaire Jared Isaacman's nomination in May, calling his Democratic ties "inappropriate" given Elon Musk's SpaceX contracts with NASA.

Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman and star of MTV's The Real World: Boston (1997), will lead NASA while keeping his transportation post amid 24% budget cuts threatening scientific missions.

A resurfaced MTV clip shows ...