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Elon Musk wields an unprecedented level of power and influence, but does that mean he’s pushing for war with China? Recent reports about his March 21st briefing at the Pentagon have sparked speculation about his role in U.S. military strategy, particularly regarding China.
Was Elon Musk briefed on a potential war with China?
Musk was invited to a high-security meeting at the Pentagon, held in the Tank, a room reserved for top-level defense discussions. Some reports suggested the meeting focused on U.S. strategy in the event of a conflict with China, while others were more vague, simply stating that China was a topic of discussion.
Trump himself dismissed the reports of war talk as “fake news,” claiming:
“China will not even be mentioned or discussed.”
Yet, on March 21st, he told reporters that the U.S. was “very well equipped” to handle a war with China but refused to disclose details.
Musk’s ties to China: A conflict of interest?
Musk’s business ties to China have raised questions about his involvement in Pentagon discussions. Tesla operates two major facilities in Shanghai, making China an essential market for him. At the same time, his contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense—particularly Starlink’s role in military communications—put him in a unique position where his business interests and U.S. national security could conflict.
Concerns have also been raised about Musk potentially gaining classified military insights that could benefit his businesses. Earlier in March, a formal complaint was made regarding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) possibly switching service providers to Starlink, further highlighting his deepening ties to government agencies.
Where does Musk stand on a war with China?
While Musk hasn’t explicitly stated his position, his business interests strongly suggest he would prefer to avoid conflict. War with China would not only jeopardize Tesla’s operations but also strain global markets—something Musk, as a businessman, would want to avoid.
That said, his growing presence in U.S. defense discussions continues to spark debates over whether one of the world’s richest men should have inside access to national security strategies. Is he merely an advisor, or does his influence extend further? That remains the real question.