Gayle King recently took a trip to space, and it sparked quite a conversation. The CBS News host flew with a group of celebrities, including Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez, on a Blue Origin flight that lasted about eight minutes. After returning to Earth, King addressed some criticism she received regarding the nature of the trip.
In an interview with Extra, King expressed her frustration with people calling the experience “a ride.” She argued that this term is disrespectful and carries a sexist undertone. “You never see a male astronaut referred to as taking a ride,” she said, pointing out that they are typically described as going on a flight or a journey.
King also responded to those who questioned the expense of such trips, suggesting that the money spent could be better used on earthly issues. She admitted that she once shared that viewpoint but changed her mind after learning more about Blue Origin’s goals. The company aims to find ways to use waste from Earth in space to help improve conditions back home.
She encouraged critics to educate themselves about space travel and the work being done by companies like Blue Origin. King believes that increased demand for commercial space flights could lower costs over time.
However, her comments drew backlash from some commentators. Matt Walsh, a conservative pundit, mocked King for calling herself an astronaut after such a short flight. He tweeted, “Gayle King thinks she’s an astronaut because she took a 10 minute ride on her friend’s boyfriend’s rocket ship.”
Another conservative voice, Stephen L. Miller, highlighted the difference between King’s brief trip and the experiences of professional astronauts, who often face much longer and more challenging missions. He pointed out that astronauts who have been stranded in space for months simply return to work after being rescued.
Katy Perry also faced criticism for her enthusiastic reaction upon landing, with some joking that she acted as if she had endured a much harsher ordeal in space.
As the debate continues, King’s flight has opened up discussions about the nature of commercial space travel, gender perceptions in the industry, and the societal value of such endeavors.