Musk, whose businesses hold multiple Defense Department contracts, met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for 80 minutes in his first-ever Pentagon discussions. It remains unclear whether top U.S. generals joined the meeting virtually.
Reports from The New York Times suggested that Musk was to be briefed on classified war plans regarding China. However, both Musk and former President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, strongly denied the claims, calling them "fake news" and "propaganda."
Following the reports, Musk demanded the prosecution of Pentagon officials responsible for leaking false details about his visit, stating, "We will find them."
The meeting's agenda reportedly focused on improving efficiency and innovation in government spending, aligning with Musk’s broader push to reduce bureaucracy and cut unnecessary expenses in federal agencies.
Despite Musk’s advisory role in the Trump administration, his involvement in government discussions has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given that his companies, including SpaceX, have significant defense contracts. The administration has stated that Musk will recuse himself from any matters posing a conflict.
In response to the controversy surrounding The New York Times report, President Trump abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting with top military officials, highlighting Musk’s growing influence in government restructuring efforts and fueling further debate over the implications of his Pentagon visit.
