Washington Denies Reports of Elon Musk’s "Top-Secret Briefing" on US-China War Plans
President Trump Denies Reports of Secret Briefing with Elon Musk on US-China War Plans
US President Donald Trump denied media reports on Thursday that his billionaire ally Elon Musk would receive a "top-secret briefing" on Washington’s strategy in a potential war with China. The report, first published by The New York Times, sparked concerns about the SpaceX and Tesla chief’s influence in the White House as an unelected tycoon who has become Trump’s closest advisor.
Concerns Over Musk’s Influence
Democrats have criticized Trump for handing over administration policy to Musk, the president’s cost-cutter-in-chief, despite him undergoing no background checks and heading companies with government contracts worth billions.
Denial by Trump and Musk
Trump denied the reports, stating that China would not even be mentioned or discussed in the meeting. "China will not even be mentioned or discussed," he posted on his TruthSocial platform, branding the story "completely untrue." Musk also criticized the report, calling The New York Times "pure propaganda" on his social media platform X.
Defense Secretary’s Statement
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Musk would visit the Pentagon on Friday, but said the "informal meeting" would focus on innovation and efficiencies, not "top secret China war plans." "I’ve been to the Pentagon many times over many years. Not my first time in the building," Musk wrote in a separate post replying to Hegseth.
Background on the Situation
Tensions have soared between Washington and Beijing as the world’s two largest economies impose a slew of tariffs on each other’s imports. The reported briefing was said to cover US military plans in case of a war with China, including maritime tactics and targeting plans.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s potential briefing on US-China war plans has raised concerns about the influence of unelected individuals in the White House. While Trump and Musk have denied the reports, the situation remains unclear, and the public is left wondering what the true nature of the meeting was.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the purpose of Elon Musk’s meeting at the Pentagon?
A: According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the meeting focused on innovation and efficiencies, not "top secret China war plans."
Q: Did China’s war plans with the US come up during the meeting?
A: No, according to Trump and Musk, China was not discussed during the meeting.
Q: What is the current state of US-China relations?
A: Tensions have soared between Washington and Beijing as the world’s two largest economies impose a slew of tariffs on each other’s imports.