Pete Bouchard, the chief meteorologist at NBC10 Boston, recently sparked controversy following comments he made about a SpaceX splashdown on Monday. The event involved the return of NASA astronauts, including Suni Williams from Needham, Massachusetts, who had been stranded on the International Space Station for nine months due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner. The astronauts safely returned to Earth via a SpaceX capsule, splashing down in the Gulf of America off Florida’s coast.
The Boston Herald reports Bouchard, a seasoned broadcaster with over two decades in the Boston market, posted on Facebook that the drone footage of the splashdown had “strong hints of AI enhancement.”
He noted that the lighting appeared “cinematic” and questioned whether it was due to camera settings, even suggesting that a pod of dolphins surfacing in the video added to the scene’s polished look. “I’m no conspiracy theorist, but that splashdown today had strong hints of AI enhancement in the drone footage,” he wrote, later clarifying, “This doesn’t take anything away from the brave astronauts or remarkable scientists involved.”
BREAKING: Rescued American astronauts, who proclaimed Jesus as Lord while stranded in space, have officially returned to Earth and will soon be reunited with their families.
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) March 18, 2025
“On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home.”
All glory to God.
pic.twitter.com/hBA5o58Zio
The reaction was swift and polarized. Some online followers criticized Bouchard, with one commenter sarcastically remarking, “‘I’m no conspiracy theorist’ but I have a conspiracy theory,” leading him to delete the original post. He then issued a follow-up on Tuesday night emphasizing that he was merely commenting on the footage’s visual quality and his curiosity about the technology used, not questioning the event’s authenticity. On Bluesky, he doubled down, writing, “I know I won’t feed the conspiracy theorists on this platform, but that splashdown today had strong hints of AI enhancement,” again pointing to the lighting and dolphins.
The backlash highlights the sensitivity around public figures speculating about high-profile events, especially those tied to SpaceX and Elon Musk, whose ventures often attract both admiration and skepticism. Bouchard’s remarks drew attention partly because of his prominence—he joined NBC10 Boston in 2016 after 13 years as senior meteorologist at WHDH, becoming chief meteorologist in 2024 following Matt Noyes’ departure. His history of engaging, sometimes quirky commentary has made him a familiar figure in New England, but this incident tested his audience’s tolerance.
Supporters, including some on X, defended him, with posts calling him “the best” and decrying the “incredibly stupid times” where such observations ignite outrage. Critics, however, saw it as irresponsible, especially given the potential to fuel conspiracy narratives about space missions.
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