President Donald Trump publicly stated on Friday that Elon Musk would not be granted access to classified U.S. war plans concerning China.
his statement highlighted a rare acknowledgment by U.S. Presidenmp,#us; Trump regarding potential conflicts of interest stemming from Musk’s extensive business ties.
Trump explicitly refuted reports suggesting Musk, who is currently leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), would receive a classified Pentagon briefing on U.S. war strategies.
He emphasized the sensitive nature of such information, particularly in the context of potential conflict with China.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, possesses significant business interests in China while simultaneously holding substantial U.S. defense contracts. His role as an unofficial advisor to Trump has raised concerns about his influence and potential conflicts.
“I don’t want to show it to anybody. You’re talking about a potential war with China,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, underlining the gravity of the information in question. “Certainly you wouldn’t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much… Elon has businesses in China and he would be susceptible perhaps to that.”
During an event where he unveiled a contract for Boeing to build the next-generation F-47 fighter jet, Trump described Musk as a “patriot” and praised his efforts to reduce the size and cost of the U.S. federal government, including the Defense Department.
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Trump criticized reports, initially published by the New York Times, regarding Musk’s visit to the Pentagon. The Times reported that Musk was scheduled to receive a briefing in a secure room known as “The Tank,” focusing on maritime tactics and targeting plans, but the briefing was reportedly canceled after the information was leaked. “They really are the enemy of the people,” Trump said of the Times.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged Musk’s “amazing visit” to the Pentagon and expressed anticipation for continued collaboration. He made these remarks on the social media platform X.
Musk responded to the New York Times report by labeling it “pure propaganda” on X. He also clarified, “I’ve been to the Pentagon many times over many years. Not my first time in the building.
Musk’s business ties to China, particularly Tesla’s gigafactory in Shanghai, and his expressed views on Taiwan, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Despite this, Trump has consistently maintained that Musk’s involvement poses no conflicts, even as Musk oversees significant changes in U.S. government agencies with which his companies have dealings.
