Trump Denies Musk's China Briefing

GEAR CHECK: Our readers don't just follow the news - they stay ready. Featured gear from this story is below.

Staff Writer

The Trump administration has denied reports that Elon Musk received a briefing on the Pentagon's potential war plans with China during his visit.

President Donald Trump and top administration officials have refuted reports that Tesla CEO Elon Musk received a briefing on the Pentagon's potential war plans with China during his visit to the Pentagon on Friday. Trump told reporters that Musk's meeting was focused on DOGE, efficiencies, and innovations, and not on China.

According to The New York Times, Musk was scheduled to receive a briefing on the U.S. military's potential plans for war against China in the event of a future conflict, citing two U.S. officials. However, three defense officials told NBC News that while China was one of the topics discussed, the meeting did not involve potential war plans.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dismissed The New York Times article as a "fake story" aimed at undermining the Pentagon's relationship with Musk. Hegseth described the meeting as an "informal conversation" about innovation, efficiencies, and smarter production.

Trump also slammed The New York Times on Truth Social, calling the story "completely untrue" and "fake news." Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed this sentiment, labeling the story "100% Fake News" and "brazenly & maliciously wrong" on X.

The denial comes amidst speculation about the nature of Musk's meeting at the Pentagon. The Tesla CEO's visit was initially reported to be focused on his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, but the reports of a potential briefing on China war plans sparked widespread interest.

You may also like

Blog

A man allegedly smashed a historic Marine Corps monument with a sledgehammer, knocking the head off one of the depicted Marines. Police estimate the damage could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair, and investigators have not disclosed a motive.
A weapon that makes people feel as if their skin is burning could soon be tested for border enforcement. The Pentagon has approved a seven-month evaluation, raising questions about how far military technology should go in civilian operations.
Veterans seeking medical care in Orlando now have another place to turn when groceries become difficult to afford. The new pantry offers free food, as changes to federal assistance rules raise fresh concerns about support for vulnerable veterans.
A ballistic missile attack struck a military training camp as young recruits stood in formation, killing at least 73 and injuring more than 200, according to Yemeni officials. The attack has become one of the deadliest blows in the country’s renewed civil war.
A grass fire turned deadly during a live-fire exercise at a Canadian military base, killing four soldiers and sending 39 people to hospitals. Officials say sudden winds drove the flames forward so quickly that troops had less than a minute to react.

Like This Story? Check Out What Our Community Is Buying

Our best sellers are designed for real-world use - not hype.

View Best Sellers