US defence secretary Pete Hegseth met with tech large and division of presidency effectivity (DOGE) head Elon Musk on the Pentagon to debate methods to enhance innovation, effectivity, and manufacturing within the army.
After the assembly, Hegseth referred to as Musk a “patriot” and highlighted their shared objective of strengthening the US army.
He later shared on social media, “Wonderful go to with Elon Musk on the Pentagon at the moment. He’s a patriot, and I stay up for persevering with our work collectively. With Elon and Doge, we’re guaranteeing our army continues to be the best combating pressure the world has ever recognized.”
Musk’s go to to the Pentagon sparked controversy after some US media stories prompt he would obtain a briefing on potential conflict methods towards China. Nonetheless, these claims had been dismissed by each US President Donald Trump and Hegseth, with Trump calling the stories “absurd” and “solely unfaithful.”
“China is not going to even be talked about or mentioned,” Trump mentioned, accusing The New York Occasions of fabricating the story. Musk, for his half, demanded the prosecution of officers he alleged had leaked “maliciously false info” to the media.
The assembly, which lasted simply over an hour, coated varied matters associated to army development.
Hegseth dismissed the China conflict claims, stating, “That is NOT a gathering about ‘high secret China conflict plans.’ It’s a casual dialogue on innovation, efficiencies, and smarter manufacturing.”
Musk’s enterprise ties to China, together with Tesla’s Shanghai amenities and SpaceX’s Pentagon contracts, have raised considerations in some circles. Trump acknowledged these considerations, saying, “You wouldn’t share that with a businessman.” Nonetheless, he additionally clarified that Musk was there for Doge somewhat than China.
“He’s there for Doge, not China — and in case you introduced up China, I believe he’d go away the room,” Trump informed reporters within the Oval Workplace.
Concerning Friday’s assembly, the tech mogul stored his response transient, telling reporters, “It’s at all times an amazing assembly.” Musk has beforehand visited the Pentagon, together with his final recorded go to in 2016 when he met then-defence secretary Ash Carter.
