Donald Trump has criticized a New York Times story which claims Elon Musk is about to be briefed on top U.S. military secrets.
The Times story on Thursday reported that Musk, the unelected, non-Senate-confirmed head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who is neither in the military chain of command nor a military adviser to the president, will nevertheless reportedly be briefed Friday about the country’s top-secret military ambitions, including its plans for any potential war with China.
Musk will be at the Pentagon for the top-secret briefing, which will detail which locations in China to target and for how long, according to the Times.
The White House hasn’t indicated whether Musk signed a conflicts of interest waiver for the Tesla and X owner, whose financial well-being depends heavily on China, the Times noted.
But Trump denounced the story Thursday night, complaining on his Truth Social platform that it was not true.
“The Fake News is at it again, this time the Failing New York Times,” Trump wrote. “They said, incorrectly, that Elon Musk is going to the Pentagon tomorrow to be briefed on any potential ‘war with China.’ How ridiculous? China will not even be mentioned or discussed. How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies. Anyway, the story is completely untrue!!!”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment from the Times.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to deliver remarks at the White House alongside President Trump Friday.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell claimed that while Musk would appear at the Pentagon, he was simply a guest of Hegseth.
“The Defense Department is excited to welcome Elon Musk to the Pentagon on Friday. He was invited by Secretary Hegseth and is just visiting.”
He later posted on X complaining about the Times story, describing it as “maliciously wrong.”
Hegseth also took to X, adding, “this is NOT a meeting about ‘top secret China war plans.’ It’s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies & smarter production. Gonna be great!”
Though Musk has a top-secret security clearance, the Pentagon and the Air Force have been investigating whether he has been fully complying with it. The Air Force had previously denied Musk’s request for a higher clearance.
The investigations were prompted by SpaceX employees alleging that Musk hadn’t disclosed all his contacts with foreign leaders.
Reacting to the news of Musk’s briefing, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it was “so far out of the norm,” and called on Republicans in Congress to step up.
“I don’t understand,” he said on MSNBC. “Where are the Republicans? Where are the Lindsey Grahams? Where are the people who know how this works?”
