Trump vows astronauts will plant U.S. flag on Mars as Elon Musk goes wild at inauguration

President Donald Trump vowed that U.S. astronauts would plant the American flag on Mars during his next administration.

During his inaugural address on Monday, Trump insisted that going to Mars was part of the "manifest destiny" of the United States.

"Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history's greatest civilization," he opined. "Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy, and disease-free."

"The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons," he continued.

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"And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."

As Trump spoke, billionaire SpaceX owner Elon Musk could be seen applauding nearby.

In 2011, Musk pledged to put humans on Mars by 2021. That promise never materialized.

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