President Donald Trump was reportedly surprised and displeased upon finding out that Elon Musk was set to receive a briefing on classified plans regarding a potential conflict with China at the Pentagon last month, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The Journal indicated that Trump was “unhappy” and “frustrated” at not being informed in advance about Musk’s briefing, particularly due to Musk’s substantial business interests in China. The White House did not immediately provide a comment on the report.
The briefing plans surfaced prior to Musk’s meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, leading to criticism from Trump’s opponents who pointed to Musk’s operations in China as a potential conflict of interest. These criticisms resulted in changes to the content of Musk’s discussions with Pentagon officials.
According to reports from the BBC and statements from Musk, the meeting still touched on China-related topics but did not include any classified information. This Pentagon visit marked an unusual level of access for Musk, whose companies hold significant federal defense contracts.
Trump publicly dismissed the initial New York Times report as “fake news,” asserting that there was never a plan to brief Musk on a China war strategy. However, sources suggest Trump was privately upset about the lack of forewarning. Despite this denial, Reuters reported that a U.S. official confirmed Musk’s briefing would include various topics, including China.
Musk, who reportedly requested the briefing, dismissed the reports as “pure propaganda” while threatening “prosecution” against those leaking information. The entrepreneur’s unprecedented access within the Trump administration has raised concerns about the overlap between his advisory role and business interests.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to clarify the meeting’s purpose, stating that it would concentrate on “innovation, efficiencies & smarter production” rather than classified war plans. A Pentagon spokesperson later labeled the New York Times report as “egregious” and “fake,” according to Politico.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has been under scrutiny since Musk was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with identifying and eliminating federal spending waste and fraud. Musk’s aggressive approach, which includes proposals to cut federal jobs, has reportedly caused tensions in the White House.
Sources indicate Trump has informed his Cabinet that Musk will step down from his DOGE role in the coming weeks. Musk is expected to maintain an informal advisory role while refocusing on his businesses, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX.
The controversy over Musk’s Pentagon visit arises as his political involvement negatively impacts his business interests. Tesla’s stock has dropped nearly 50% since December 2024, according to CBS News.
Musk has acknowledged that his DOGE role has been “a very expensive job” for Tesla, sparking protests from voters opposed to DOGE’s activities. The backlash extends beyond the stock market, with Tesla’s European sales declining by 45% in January 2025.
The company faces further pressure from former owners selling vehicles due to Musk’s political activities. Tesla’s first-quarter 2025 deliveries are projected to be 7% lower than the previous year; analysts cite “anti-Musk and brand issues” as key factors in this decline.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by business leaders who engage in public political roles. As Musk balances his advisory role with his CEO responsibilities at major corporations, potential conflicts of interest and business repercussions may increase.
