Trump: Musk had no information about China's war plan in the Pentagon

Trump: Musk had no information about China's war plan in the Pentagon

President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, was briefed at the Pentagon about US military plans for a possible war with China. Trump said he didn't want to show such plans to anyone.

Trump on potential conflicts with China

"I don't want to show it to anyone. It's about a potential war with China," Trump said in a debate from the Oval Office. “We don’t want a potential war with China, but I can tell you that if that happens, we are very well positioned.”

Speculation about Musk's visit to the Pentagon

Trump's comments come at a time of speculation as to why Musk was at the Pentagon on Friday morning. There he met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for over an hour. The New York Times reported Thursday that Musk received a briefing on U.S. military plans for a possible conflict with China. Pentagon officials strongly denied the reporting on social media Thursday.

Elon Musk and his role in the Department of Defense

How CNN reports, Musk, who serves as a special government official under Trump, has a secret security clearance. The meeting also takes place against the background that the Pentagon significant cuts in the armed forces in order to reduce the size of the government.

Collaboration between Pentagon and Musk

Hegseth stated that the Defense Department will work with Musk's DOGE to combat fraud and waste within the agency.

Musk's lucrative contracts with the Department of Defense

Musk has lucrative contracts with the Defense Department. In October 2024, the US Space Force received $733 million for Starting contracts from Musk's company SpaceX.

Details of the meeting at the Pentagon

Musk arrived at the Pentagon shortly before 9 a.m. for his meeting with Hegseth and other senior Pentagon officials. After arriving, he went into Hegseth's office and came out after about an hour and 20 minutes. Photos of the meeting shared by the Pentagon showed Musk and Hegseth sitting at a table with six other people, including Hegseth's chief of staff Joe Kasper.

Media inquiries after the meeting

When asked by CNN about the meeting as Musk and Hegseth left Hegseth's office, Musk replied: "It was always a great meeting."

Responses to questions about China

"I've been here before, you know," Musk joked as he and Hegseth laughed and walked down the stairs. Neither Hegseth nor Musk answered shouted questions about whether they discussed China in their meeting or whether it was a classified meeting.

Statements after Musk's departure

Asked by The New York Times after Musk's departure what the two had discussed, Hegseth said: "Why should I tell you?" Hegseth later characterized the meeting as "fantastic" while attending the announcement of a new fighter jet at the White House.

“Elon Musk is a patriotic American, and I appreciate him,” Hegseth added, without providing further details about what was discussed.