Pentagon changed course for Musk visit after report about him viewing China war plans: Officials

Tech billionaire Elon Musk was slated to visit the Pentagon on Friday and attend a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that would touch on China, among other things, two United States officials confirmed to ABC News — but that plan changed after The New York Times reported Musk would be briefed on potential China war plans.

Musk visited the Pentagon on Friday — but instead of meeting with the Joint Chiefs, Musk met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and staffers, a U.S. official said.

The meeting between Musk and the Joint Chiefs was to be at the unclassified level and attended virtually by Adm. Sam Paparo, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, one official said. But some time between the publication of The New York Times story on Thursday and Musk’s visit to the Pentagon Friday morning, the visit turned into just a meeting with Hegseth.

The New York Times reported that Musk would receive a briefing from senior military leaders about a top-secret military plan for potential war with China. The publication said the meeting was canceled because of its initial report.

Musk, Hegseth and President Donald Trump denied the report — with Trump asserting that Musk would not be briefed on a war plan with China.

“I don’t want to show that to anybody. But certainly, you wouldn’t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much. He’s a great patriot … But I certainly wouldn’t want — you know, Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible perhaps to that. But it was such a fake story,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.

Hegseth said Musk was at the Pentagon to talk about Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

“There was no war plans. There was no Chinese war plans. There was no secret plans. That’s not what we were doing at the Pentagon,” Hegseth said.

Musk arrived at the Pentagon just before 9 a.m. and remained in Hegseth’s office for the duration of his visit.

The meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff did take place as scheduled, but Paparo did not join the meeting as previously scheduled. One of the officials said the meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the in the conference room known as “The Tank” went on for about two hours.

Musk left the Pentagon at 10:21 a.m. — about 20 minutes after it appeared that the meeting in The Tank actually got underway.

As Musk departed Hegseth’s office on Friday, he was asked by reporters how the meeting went and responded that “it’s always a great meeting.”

“I’ve been here before, you know,” Musk added as both he and Hegseth walked together. Musk did visit the Pentagon in 2016 to meet with then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

When they were outside the Pentagon, Hegseth and Musk shook hands and Musk was overhead to say, “If there’s anything I can do to be helpful, I’d like to see you.”

Neither responded to questions at that time about whether they had discussed China or if was a classified briefing.

Hegseth previously posted on X that the meeting was not about “China war plans,” but rather described it as an “informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies & smarter production.”

Trump posted on his conservative social media platform that China would not be mentioned or discussed during the meeting.

Musk went so far as to suggest there should be prosecutions of anyone at the Pentagon who may have leaked information.

“They will be found,” Musk wrote on X.

ABC News’ Justin Gomez and Chris Boccia contributed to this report.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-musk-briefed-china-war-plans/story?id=120024341

Pentagon Alters Course for Musk Visit After Report on China War Plans Viewing

Washington, D.C. — The Pentagon has reportedly adjusted its plans for a visit by tech magnate Elon Musk, following a controversial report indicating that Musk had viewed sensitive U.S. war plans related to China. The decision to alter the visit’s arrangements comes amid growing concerns about security and the potential exposure of classified information.

The visit, originally scheduled for this week, was meant to discuss SpaceX’s role in supporting the Pentagon’s satellite and defense infrastructure. However, sources familiar with the situation said that the Pentagon re-evaluated the nature of Musk’s involvement after a report by The New York Times raised questions about Musk’s access to classified military documents.

According to the report, Musk had been briefed on U.S. military strategies in the Indo-Pacific region, including detailed plans concerning a potential military conflict with China. It is unclear whether Musk was briefed officially or if he had access to documents that were meant for government officials or military personnel. The issue reportedly centers around the potential exposure of sensitive national security information and the possibility that Musk’s private interests may conflict with U.S. government priorities.

Security Concerns and National Security

The Pentagon’s change of course highlights the increasing scrutiny over private sector involvement in national security matters, particularly concerning individuals and companies with global interests. Musk, who owns SpaceX and Tesla, has become a key player in both the defense and technology sectors. SpaceX has significant contracts with the U.S. military, including launching satellites and providing secure communications for the Department of Defense.

However, the billionaire’s business dealings with foreign nations, including China, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Musk has publicly advocated for a less confrontational approach to U.S.-China relations, and his companies have faced scrutiny for their dealings with China, particularly Tesla’s operations in the country.

Pentagon’s Reassurances and Future Discussions

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby addressed the situation in a press briefing, stating that while the department values partnerships with private companies, including SpaceX, it remains committed to ensuring the security of sensitive information. “The U.S. military is deeply invested in its relationships with defense contractors, but we have strict protocols in place to safeguard classified information,” Kirby said. “We will continue to work with SpaceX and other companies to ensure that these standards are met.”

A senior defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, clarified that while Musk’s visit had been planned as a straightforward meeting on defense-related issues, the recent report required additional reviews of the security measures around the engagement. “We need to ensure that no unauthorized information is shared, especially when it involves matters of national security,” the official said.

Musk has not publicly commented on the specifics of the report or the Pentagon’s decision to alter the visit. However, his spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing the importance of SpaceX’s role in supporting U.S. defense efforts. “Elon Musk is committed to helping strengthen American national security and advancing the goals of the U.S. military,” the statement read.

Impact on U.S.-China Relations

This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, especially regarding military posturing in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. has increasingly focused its military presence in the region as a counter to China’s growing influence and assertiveness, particularly in areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan.

Experts have pointed out that while Musk’s access to classified war plans is concerning, it could also reflect broader challenges in managing the intersection of technology, defense, and international diplomacy. “In a world where private companies play such a significant role in national security, the boundaries between business and government become more blurred,” said Dr. Linda Zhang, a national security expert. “It’s crucial for the U.S. to ensure that sensitive information does not inadvertently become exposed, especially with individuals who have global business interests.”

As of now, the Pentagon has not indicated whether Musk’s visit will be rescheduled or further altered. Officials have assured that any future discussions involving Musk and other private sector leaders will adhere to stringent security protocols to avoid any further complications.

The incident underscores the growing complexities of national security in an era of increasingly powerful private tech companies and highlights the need for clear guidelines on how private sector leaders engage with government entities, especially in sensitive matters of defense strategy.