Trump denies giving Musk access to classified war information on China

• The US President, Donald Trump, dismisses reports that Elon Musk was set to receive a classified Pentagon briefing on a potential war strategy with China.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms Musk's visit was focused on innovation and efficiency, not war tactics
• Elon Musk calls media reports “pure propaganda” and insists this was not his first Pentagon visit

US President Donald Trump has firmly denied reports that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was set to receive a top-secret Pentagon briefing on US war strategy with China. 

The claims, first published by The New York Times, raised concerns about Musk’s influence in the White House, given his extensive business ties in China and major defense contracts with the US government.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump dismissed the reports as “completely untrue” and criticised the media for spreading misinformation. “I don’t want to show it to anybody. You’re talking about a potential war with China 

“Certainly, you wouldn’t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much… Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible perhaps to that,” he said.

The controversy stems from reports that Musk, who leads the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was scheduled to receive a classified Pentagon briefing on maritime tactics and targeting plans. 

The briefing was allegedly planned for a secure room known as “The Tank” but was reportedly canceled after being publicised.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to refute the claims, stating, “China will not even be mentioned or discussed… The Fake News is the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE… And Elon is NOT BEING BRIEFED ON ANYTHING CHINA BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR!!!”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Musk’s visit to the Pentagon but clarified that the meeting was informal and focused on innovation and efficiency, not war strategies. 

“I look forward to continuing our work together,” Hegseth later posted on X.

Musk, who has long-standing business interests in China, also weighed in, calling the Times report “pure propaganda.” 

He noted that he has visited the Pentagon multiple times over the years and that this was not his first meeting with Defence officials.

The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about Musk’s dual role as a major US government contractor and a businessman with deep ties to China. 

His company Tesla operates a massive gigafactory in Shanghai, and he has previously suggested Taiwan should become part of China. 

Meanwhile, his aerospace company, SpaceX, holds lucrative US defence contracts for rocket launches and the Starlink satellite service.

Despite the scrutiny, Trump defended Musk, calling him a “patriot” and praising his efforts to reduce government inefficiencies, including within the Defence Department. 

However, Democrats have criticised Trump for granting Musk significant influence in his administration without requiring background checks, especially given his government contracts worth billions.

Trump says he’s open to Musk, Ellison buying TikTok

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, said he was open to either the owner of Tesla and X, Elon Musk, or Oracle Corp co-founder, Larry Ellison, buying TikTok.

Trump, during a press briefing, said he is open to either of the businessmen buying TikTok on the condition that the buyers give 50 per cent ownership to the US.