President Donald Trump was reportedly surprised and displeased upon learning of Elon Musk’s scheduled briefing on classified military plans concerning China at the Pentagon last month, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The report stated that Trump was “unhappy” to find out about Musk’s intended briefing and was “frustrated” by the lack of advance notice, especially given Musk’s substantial business interests in China. The White House has not yet commented on the report.
The news of the planned briefing arose before Musk met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This led to criticism from Trump’s opponents, who pointed out Musk’s business dealings in China as a potential conflict of interest. This scrutiny prompted changes in the content of the discussions between Musk and Pentagon officials.
While topics related to China were still discussed, no classified information was shared, according to reports from the BBC and statements from Musk. Musk’s visit to the Pentagon marked an unusual level of access for the tech billionaire, whose companies have significant federal defense contracts.
Trump publicly dismissed the initial New York Times report as “fake news,” insisting there was no plan for Musk to be briefed on a China war plan. However, sources suggest that privately, Trump was upset about being caught off guard by the news. Despite this denial, Reuters reported that a U.S. official confirmed the briefing for Musk was to include an overview of various topics, including China.
Musk, who reportedly requested the briefing, called the reporting “pure propaganda” and also threatened “prosecution” for those leaking information to the media. His access to the Trump administration has raised concerns about the overlap between his advisory role and his business interests.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that the meeting’s focus would be on “innovation, efficiencies & smarter production,” not classified war plans. A Pentagon spokesperson later described the New York Times report as “egregious” and “fake,” according to Politico.
The interaction between Trump and Musk has been under scrutiny since Trump appointed Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s role involves identifying and removing waste and fraud in federal spending. His aggressive stance in this role, including proposals to cut federal jobs, has reportedly led to tensions within the White House.
Multiple sources indicate that Trump has informed his Cabinet that Musk will resign from his position at DOGE within weeks. Musk is expected to continue as an informal adviser to the White House while refocusing on his businesses, such as Tesla, X, and SpaceX.
This controversy coincides with the impact of Musk’s political activities on his business interests. Tesla’s stock has dropped nearly 50% since December 2024, according to CBS News.
Musk has acknowledged that his role with DOGE has been “a very expensive job” for Tesla, as it has sparked protests from voters against DOGE’s activities. The backlash extends beyond the stock market, with Tesla’s European sales decreasing by 45% in January 2025.
The company faces additional pressure from former owners selling their vehicles due to Musk’s political activities. Tesla’s first-quarter 2025 deliveries are projected to be 7% lower than those in the previous year, with analysts citing “anti-Musk sentiment and brand issues” as contributing factors.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by business leaders in public political roles. As Musk navigates his advisory position and responsibilities as CEO of major corporations, the potential for conflicts of interest and business repercussions continues to grow.
