Trump acknowledges concerns over Musk’s business interests, says he shouldn’t get war plans
- Share via
- Trump had previously brushed off questions about Musk’s potential conflicts of interest.
- At the Pentagon, Musk refused to answer questions as to whether he received a classified briefing on China as part of the visit.
WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that war plans should not be shared with his advisor Elon Musk because of his business interests, a rare suggestion that the billionaire entrepreneur’s expansive role in the administration will face limits.
Trump made the comments during an Oval Office meeting on developing a new fighter jet, and he rejected reports that Musk would be briefed on how the United States would fight a hypothetical war with China.
“Elon has businesses in China,” the president said. “And he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that.”
Trump praised Musk as a patriot. However, the reference to his businesses — which include Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer trying to expand sales and production in China — is an unusual acknowledgment of concerns about Musk balancing his corporate and government responsibilities.
Trump had previously brushed off questions about Musk’s potential conflicts of interest, simply saying that he would steer clear when necessary.
The president said that Musk visited the Pentagon on Friday morning to discuss reducing costs, which he’s been working on through his White House advisory team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Musk was there “to talk about efficiencies, to talk about innovations.”
Musk said while leaving the Pentagon that he was ready to do “anything that could be helpful,” according to a CNN video. He refused to answer questions as to whether he received a classified briefing on China as part of the visit.
Musk has played an integral role in the Trump administration’s push to dramatically reduce the size of the government. He’s faced intense criticism from some lawmakers and voters for his chain saw-wielding approach to laying off workers and dismantling programs, although Trump’s supporters have hailed it.
A senior Pentagon official told reporters Tuesday that roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in the Defense Department.
Copp writes for the Associated Press.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox twice per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
