United States: On Wednesday, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made his second visit to the Pentagon, meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The meeting, originally reported by Reuters, involved senior members of Musk’s X AI team, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, as reported by Reuters.
AI and National Security Take Center Stage
The department said it will work more closely with those in artificial intelligence to help U.S. forces face current and future threats. As Musk builds relationships in defense, it becomes more visible how deeply tech and military strategy are working together.
An Unusual Pairing: Tech Mogul Meets Faith Leaders
Musk’s visit coincided with a Christian prayer service held at the Pentagon. Pastor Brooks Potteiger, spiritual advisor to Hegseth, remarked on X:
“It’s unusual to practically walk next to Elon Musk before your sermon.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “We welcome DOGE and Elon to the Pentagon There are redundancies that need to be addressed." pic.twitter.com/GGGbOOHgK8
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) February 16, 2025
Controversy and Denial Over Classified Briefing Claims
Earlier media reports had speculated that Musk would receive secret briefings on potential war plans involving China during his March visit. All involved parties denied the claims, with Musk dismissing the reports as propaganda and urging legal action against any leakers.
SpaceX, Starlink & Conflict Concerns
Musk’s defense-related businesses, including SpaceX and Starlink, hold substantial Pentagon contracts. Their alignment with Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, which utilizes satellite detection of ballistic threats, has fueled speculation around potential conflicts of interest.
Billions at Stake Under a Trump Return
If former President Donald Trump returns to office, contracts linked to projects like Starlink could translate into billions of dollars in value for Musk’s companies — and possibly Trump’s own.
White House: Safeguards Against Conflicts
The White House has stated that Musk would be barred from participating in any decisions where there’s a financial conflict related to defense spending or government reform, as reported by Reuters.
From Politics to Business: Musk Refocuses
Leading the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has already driven cost-cutting efforts across federal agencies, including the Pentagon. This week, he also announced a major reduction in political donations, signaling a pivot away from political influence and toward business priorities — a move that comes amid investor pressure to stay focused.