Congress passes the budget since they have the power of the purse. Presidents have requested all sorts of nonsense to appease the base.

This same president wanted a Mars landing by 2028.

It has been 30 years since Congress last passed a budget.

That is true, but in all fairness, every politician has at one time, or another requested all sorts of nonsense to appease the base, not just presidents hence the term "political lobbying". If you look up the definition of 'politics," it's the method or strategy: sometimes used to describe the tactics, schemes, or "art" used to gain influence, sometimes carrying a negative connotation of manipulation or intrigue. Everybody has done it since the beginning of time :|