Trump: ‘Musk Should Not Receive U.S. War Plan,’ Cites China Business Ties/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Editon/ President Donald Trump acknowledged concerns over Elon Musk’s business dealings in China, stating that the billionaire adviser should not receive access to sensitive war plans. Trump’s remarks came as Musk visited the Pentagon to discuss cost-cutting and innovation. The president praised Musk’s patriotism but said national security must come first.
Trump, Musk, and Pentagon Tensions: Quick Looks
- Trump says Musk should not receive war planning briefings
- Concern stems from Musk’s business operations in China, including Tesla
- Trump praises Musk but says national security must come first
- Musk visited the Pentagon Friday to discuss efficiencies and innovation
- Defense Secretary Hegseth emphasized the meeting was not about China war plans
- Musk declined to say whether he received classified briefings
- Musk has been leading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency
- Pentagon preparing for major cuts, including 50,000–60,000 civilian job reductions
Trump: ‘Musk Should Not Receive U.S. War Plan,’ Cites China Business Ties
Deep Look
Trump Acknowledges Conflict Concerns, Says Musk Shouldn’t Access U.S. War Plans
In a rare moment of public caution, President Donald Trump on Friday addressed growing concerns over Elon Musk’s expansive role in his administration, specifically stating that the billionaire entrepreneur should not be given access to U.S. war plans due to his extensive business interests in China.
Speaking from the Oval Office during a briefing on the Pentagon’s next-generation fighter jet program, Trump rejected recent speculation that Musk had been or would be briefed on potential military strategies for a conflict with China.
“Elon has businesses in China,” Trump said. “And he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that.”
While reaffirming his belief that Musk is a patriot, Trump’s comments mark the clearest acknowledgment yet that Musk’s dual identity as a federal advisor and global business leader could present conflicts of interest—especially as his company, Tesla, expands its footprint in the Chinese electric vehicle market.
The statement comes just hours after Musk visited the Pentagon for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who emphasized that the visit was strictly focused on innovation and operational efficiencies, not war planning.
“This is not about top secret China war plans,” Hegseth said, echoing his earlier denial of reports suggesting otherwise. “Elon was here to talk about efficiencies, to talk about innovations.”
Musk, when leaving the Pentagon, told reporters he was ready to do “anything that could be helpful.” He declined to answer questions about whether classified information had been shared.
Musk has played a significant role in Trump’s second-term agenda, leading the Department of Government Efficiency and driving efforts to reduce the size of the federal government. His aggressive approach—marked by deep staffing cuts and the elimination of programs deemed redundant—has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and government watchdogs.
Despite that backlash, Trump and many Republican allies have championed Musk’s role in cutting bureaucracy and increasing efficiency. But Friday’s remarks indicate there may be boundaries to Musk’s influence, especially in matters involving national security and foreign policy.
Musk’s financial and corporate ties to China have long raised questions about his ability to navigate U.S. government responsibilities without conflict. Tesla operates a massive production facility in Shanghai and has seen rapid sales growth in the Chinese market. Critics argue that Musk’s exposure to Chinese regulatory authorities could make him vulnerable to external pressures if given access to sensitive U.S. intelligence.
The debate over Musk’s role intensified this week after reports surfaced alleging he could be briefed on China war contingencies during his Pentagon visit. The administration has since forcefully denied those reports, but the issue has sparked broader concerns about how closely private sector figures should be embedded in public sector roles.
As part of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk is already deeply involved in shaping how the U.S. government operates. A senior defense official told reporters earlier this week that the Pentagon is preparing to cut between 50,000 and 60,000 civilian jobs as part of broader cost-cutting reforms—some of which stem from Musk’s restructuring strategy.
While Trump continues to value Musk’s influence on domestic reform, Friday’s statement indicates the administration is drawing firmer lines when it comes to the defense sector and matters that intersect with foreign business interests.
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