The launch of the Artemis II mission to the moon is a significant achievement for NASA, and for our country. Yet there are those within the Elitist Media who can’t resist the urge to deemphasize American exceptionalism.
Watch as NBC’s Tom Costello urges viewers to be proud of the launch. Just “not as Americans.”
WATCH: NBC’s Tom Costello says we should “collectively” be proud of the Artemis II launch, “not as Americans, not as North Americans or as- but just as humans”
TOM COSTELLO: I think it’s important and relevant to take a moment and say wow, we should be collectively, not as… pic.twitter.com/z2FzIlV7Ck
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) April 1, 2026
NBC LAUNCH SPECIAL COVERAGE
4/1/26
5:44 PM
TOM COSTELLO: I think it’s important and relevant to take a moment and say wow, we should be collectively, not as Americans, not as North Americans or as- but just as humans, proud of the achievement here- that humans have been able to do this. And we’re about to go even further than ever before. It’s- it’s exactly what they had hoped for, setting the stage to eventually put humans on the moon.
The ability to fly eluded humans throughout the ages, until the Wright Brothers altered the course of history at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Likewise, space flight and travel to the moon were distant dreams until they materialized. Returning to the moon is a complex endeavor, and while it is a human achievement, it is made possible through American ingenuity at NASA.
Costello’s call to celebrate the launch as humans vis-a-vis Americans is particularly grating when viewed through this historical lens. Travel to the moon was made possible by America, as is a return to the moon. There is no need to suppress patriotic pride in this achievement. The world understands this, as does America.
At the heart of the Elitist Media is an idea: that America is not exceptional, and her Founding not great. Costello, whether intentionally or not, exposed that idea to scrutiny. Meanwhile, Artemis II and her crew shattered that idea.
