In March 2025, a report by The New York Times claimed that Elon Musk was scheduled to receive a Pentagon briefing on U.S. military contingency plans for a potential conflict with China. This report sparked significant controversy and prompted a strong response from President Donald Trump.Btimes Online+2Business & Finance News+2The Independent+2
President Trump vehemently denied the report, labeling it as “ridiculous” and “completely untrue.” He emphasized that “China will not even be mentioned or discussed” during Musk’s visit to the Pentagon. Trump further criticized the media outlet, stating, “How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies.” The Indian Express+3Business & Finance News+3Btimes Online+3Btimes Online+4Axios+4The Independent+4
Elon Musk also refuted the claims, describing the report as “pure propaganda.” He expressed his intent to identify and pursue legal action against those responsible for leaking what he termed “maliciously false information.” The Indian Express+1The Guardian+1
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported these denials, clarifying that Musk’s meeting at the Pentagon was an informal discussion focused on innovation, efficiencies, and smarter production, not on any top-secret war plans. The Guardian+7Axios+7Btimes Online+7
The situation highlighted concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s business ventures in China through Tesla and his role as a senior adviser in the Trump administration. However, both Trump and Musk dismissed these concerns, reiterating that no sensitive military information was shared during the meeting.The Guardian
This incident underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved when private sector leaders with international business interests engage closely with government operations, especially in areas related to national security.
