The paper has claimed the billionaire would be briefed on sensitive plans for a potential war with China
US President Donald Trump has refuted a New York Times (NYT) report claiming that billionaire Elon Musk would attend a top-secret Pentagon briefing on potential war plans with China.
Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who also owns Tesla and X, was scheduled to visit the Defense Department on Friday for a classified briefing on how the US would respond to a potential conflict with Beijing, according to the NYT.
Citing unnamed US officials, the report alleged that Musk would be given access to sensitive materials, including a presentation of 20 to 30 slides outlining Washington’s grand strategy in the war, from early threat warnings to specific targeting decisions. One official told the paper that the briefing would be “China-focused,” while others confirmed Musk’s visit but offered no details.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has released a similar report alleging that Musk would be briefed on US maritime tactics and targeting strategies in the event of a conflict with China. Both the NYT and WSJ voiced concerns that the reported top-secret meeting could give the tycoon, whose businesses are tied to the country, an advantage over his competitors.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday evening, Trump refuted the NYT report. “The Fake News is at it again, this time the Failing New York Times,” the president wrote. “They said, incorrectly, that Elon Musk is going to the Pentagon tomorrow to be briefed on any potential ‘war with China.’ How ridiculous? China will not even be mentioned or discussed. How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies. Anyway, the story is completely untrue!!!”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pushed back against the report but confirmed that Musk would indeed come to the Pentagon. “We look forward to welcoming Elon Musk to the Pentagon tomorrow,” he wrote on X. “But the fake news delivers again – this is NOT a meeting about ‘top secret China war plans.’ It’s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies & smarter production. Gonna be great!”
Meanwhile, Musk himself reposted Trump’s message, calling The New York Times “pure propaganda”. “I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT. They will be found,” he added.
The US and China remain at odds over a number of issues, including the self-governed island of Taiwan, military activities in the South China Sea, trade tariffs and technology competition.
