Trump's claim that America owns the moon draws criticism

US President Donald Trump garnered special attention by posting "THE MOON IS OURS" (සඳ අපේ ය) on the Truth Social social media network at 1:56 PM on Sunday, September 6, 2026. This post, published without any written official explanation, state policy statement, or executive order, contained only one photograph.

In that image, Earth was visible in the background as a crescent moon, and a small American flag was depicted on the crater-filled lunar surface along with the text in large white letters.

This post, identified by the media as a provocative slogan rather than a legal claim, was part of a series of artificial intelligence (AI) generated images published by Trump over the weekend. Numerous pictures, including Space Force uniform designs, proposals to rename New Mexico "New America," statements about the Strait of Hormuz, robot armies, and Iran map-related creations, were published from his account within those few hours. Notably, the new Space Force uniform designs, published shortly before, also drew criticism for containing fascist characteristics.

However, according to international space law, no country can claim sovereign ownership of the Moon. As per Article II of the Outer Space Treaty, signed in 1967 by the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, no celestial body, including the Moon, can be subjected to national appropriation or acquisition. Planting a flag on the lunar surface or making a social media post does not create legal ownership, and the Moon is designated as the common heritage of all humankind by that treaty.

Despite these legal limitations, America's rapid space operations program is underway behind this statement. According to an executive order issued in December 2025, there are plans to establish a permanent nuclear-powered station on the lunar surface by 2030. Furthermore, in March 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced a new program to build a base near the Moon's South Pole, and following the successful Artemis II lunar flight mission which concluded in April 2026, American astronauts are scheduled to be sent back to the Moon via the Artemis IV mission by 2028.

The primary reason for America's efforts is the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) being built by China and Russia, targeting the South Pole. Water-ice deposits and constantly sunlit high ground at the lunar South Pole are strategically very important for future space missions. Therefore, although Trump's statement was not a legal declaration of sovereignty, it demonstrates American competitiveness in establishing permanent infrastructure first at the lunar South Pole and thereby determining practical rules.