In Washington, President Donald Trump stated on Friday that military strategies should not be disclosed to his adviser, Elon Musk, due to Musk’s business ventures. This marked a departure from Trump’s usual outlook regarding the billionaire’s broad involvement in his administration, hinting that there are boundaries.
During an Oval Office meeting concerning the development of a new fighter jet, Trump denied claims that Musk would be informed on tactics for a hypothetical conflict with China. The president noted, “Elon has businesses in China,” possibly making him vulnerable to conflicts of interest. This comment highlighted Musk’s substantial endeavors, such as Tesla’s expansion in China, and acknowledged potential overlaps between Musk’s private sector pursuits and official duties.
In the past, Trump had dismissed concerns about Musk potentially facing conflicting obligations, casually mentioning that Musk would recuse himself should any issues arise. Trump also shared that Musk visited the Pentagon that morning to converse on cost-reduction strategies, a mission he’s been championing via the Department of Government Efficiency.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that Musk came to discuss potential efficiencies and innovations. When departing the Pentagon, Musk expressed eagerness to assist in any beneficial way, as captured in a CNN video. However, he declined to discuss whether he received any classified information about China during his visit.
Musk has been a crucial player in Trump’s agenda to significantly cut down the size of the government, despite facing backlash from some legislators and the public for his aggressive approach to downsizing and budget cuts. Nonetheless, these measures have been applauded by Trump’s supporters. A high-ranking defense official reported earlier this week that the Department of Defense plans to eliminate approximately 50,000 to 60,000 civilian positions.