Anthony Anderson slams Artemis II Moon mission as waste of money: ‘We’re in the middle of a war’

WASHINGTON, DC: Actor Anthony Anderson was critical of NASA’s Artemis II mission, raising questions about its purpose and financial cost during a recent interaction with journalists.

Anderson’s comments come amid growing buzz surrounding the Artemis II mission, which marks the first time in more than five decades that a crewed spacecraft will travel toward the Moon. The mission is part of NASA’s broader effort to send humans back to the lunar surface and beyond. 

Anthony Anderson slams Artemis II cost, purpose

Speaking to TMZ, Anderson said he was not particularly interested in the mission, adding that he does not see its immediate value.

After being asked by TMZ if people “care” about the Artemis II flight, Anderson replied, “Me, personally, not really.”

“I hear something, like, how much money it costs us just to turn the block around the moon for no other purpose other than to say that we sent four people further into space than anybody else has,” the ‘The Departed’ actor continued.

“It really doesn’t make any sense to me, when we look at the grand scheme of things, about what we need here and at home for society,” he added.

He also questioned the amount of money spent on sending astronauts around the Moon, asking what the effort ultimately achieves.

Anderson went on to say, “I still see homelessness, I still see dilapidated buildings in the city, I still see programs that need funding, that can’t get funding, that actually help people, and things like that.”

Anthony Anderson questions war spending, space priorities

He suggested that resources could be better used to address issues on Earth, including homelessness and underfunded programs.

Anderson said such challenges remain unresolved and should take priority over space exploration spending.

“So to spend this type of money just to circle around a place that we’ve only gone to once in the last 60 years or so and not have anything and not do anything, what’s it all for? That’s my take on it,” the actor said.

“We’re in the middle of a war, our economy is crashing, gas prices are through the roof, but we sent four people to go circle the block around the moon and come home and now tell us if our shit is still there,” Anderson continued.

The Artemis II mission is designed as a test flight, carrying four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back to Earth.

It is the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era and is intended to support future lunar landings.

Anderson then brought up US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), suggesting that workforce constraints could affect future space construction efforts.

“We’re going to go build a space, how they going to get shit up there?” he said. “ICE is here stopping everybody and deporting everybody, not to be that guy, but, who’s going to build this shit?”