U.S. President Donald Trump stated that war plans should not be shared with Elon Musk due to Musk's business interests. This move has been interpreted by some as an indication that the billionaire's extensive role within the government will be curtailed, raising questions about his influence.
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03-22, 2025President Trump made the comments during a meeting in the Oval Office regarding the development of a new fighter jet. He denied reports that Musk would be briefed on how the U.S. would conduct a hypothetical war with China. "Elon has business in China, and he could be influenced," President Trump said on Friday, local time, emphasizing the potential for external pressures.
President Trump also praised Musk as a patriot during the meeting. However, mentioning his business interests—including Tesla, an electric car manufacturer seeking to expand sales and production in China—unusually acknowledged concerns about how Musk balances his corporate and governmental responsibilities. President Trump had previously dismissed questions about Musk's potential conflicts of interest, simply stating that he would recuse himself if necessary, a stance that is now seemingly shifting.
The President added that Musk visited the Pentagon on Friday to discuss cost reduction, an area where he has been working through the government efficiency division. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Musk was there "to talk about efficiency, to talk about innovation," highlighting the focus of Musk's contributions.
According to CNN video, Musk stated as he left the Pentagon that he was prepared to do "anything that's helpful." He also declined to answer questions about whether he received a classified briefing on China during the visit, maintaining ambiguity around the extent of his involvement. Musk has played a significant role in the Trump administration's push to drastically reduce the size of the government. While welcomed by Trump's supporters, he has faced strong opposition from some politicians and voters for taking a "chainsaw" approach to cutting jobs and programs, leading to significant controversy.
