Overview

• Elon Musk visited the Pentagon on March 21, 2025, for what officials described as an informal meeting on innovation and efficiency.
• The New York Times and other outlets reported Musk was set to be briefed on top-secret U.S. military plans for a potential war with China, citing anonymous sources.
• President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell strongly denied these claims, labeling the reports 'fake news.'
• Musk called the reports 'pure propaganda' and threatened legal action against Pentagon leakers for allegedly spreading false information.
• Concerns persist over Musk's influence in the Trump administration, his business ties to China, and potential conflicts of interest given his roles as a senior adviser and head of DOGE.