Elon Musk Meets with Defense Secretary at Pentagon to Discuss Innovation and Efficiency in Military Operations, Refutes China Conflict Briefing Claims

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, visited the Pentagon on Friday for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The visit was centered around discussions on “innovation, efficiencies & smarter production,” according to a statement made by Hegseth on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk, who also serves as an adviser to former President Donald Trump, described the meeting as positive when speaking briefly to reporters alongside Hegseth.

Reports had surfaced prior to the meeting suggesting that Musk would be briefed on U.S. military plans concerning potential conflicts with China. However, Hegseth publicly refuted these claims, labeling them as “fake news” in a post on X. The New York Times had cited two U.S. officials who indicated that the briefing would include discussions on China, but Hegseth’s denial aimed to clarify the nature of Musk’s visit.

The meeting, which was unclassified, involved Musk engaging with senior military officials. A defense official stated that the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency was present during the discussions. Despite the speculation surrounding the agenda, the focus remained on enhancing military operations through technological advancements and improved production methods.

As Musk departed the Pentagon, he expressed his willingness to assist the Department of Defense in any capacity that could be beneficial. The visit underscores ongoing collaborations between the U.S. military and private sector leaders in exploring innovative solutions to bolster national defense capabilities.