President Donald Trump recently pushed back against a New York Times article claiming that his adviser, Elon Musk, would receive a Pentagon briefing on U.S. military plans related to a potential war with China. The Times reported that two U.S. officials indicated Musk would be briefed on classified military strategies focused on China during a meeting at the Pentagon.
In response, Trump took to Truth Social to declare the report “completely untrue,” insisting that China would not even be mentioned in the briefing. He reiterated his stance the following morning, emphasizing that Musk was “NOT BEING BRIEFED ON ANYTHING CHINA BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.”
Trump criticized the Times for suggesting that Musk’s business dealings in China could create conflicts of interest, calling the story “ridiculous and false.” He also took a jab at CNN for picking up the story, claiming that it was not gaining any viewership.
Musk, who has been a close ally of Trump, also voiced his frustration with the Times on social media. He accused individuals at the Pentagon of leaking false information and stated that those responsible would face consequences. Musk described the Times as “pure propaganda” and expressed his anticipation for prosecutions related to the leaks.
The New York Times article raised concerns about Musk’s financial ties to China, noting that his company, Tesla, has significant operations there. Tesla has built hundreds of thousands of vehicles in China and has seen its sales surge in the country.
The Wall Street Journal later reported that government sources claimed Musk would be briefed on U.S. military strategies for a potential conflict with China, including maritime tactics. However, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth clarified that Musk’s meeting at the Pentagon was not about secret war plans. Instead, it would focus on innovation and production efficiencies, areas where Musk has made contributions to various government departments. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also labeled the Times’ report as “brazenly & maliciously wrong,” praising Musk as a patriot.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Trump, Musk, and media narratives, as well as the complex relationship between business interests and national security.