A secret Pentagon meeting intended to share sensitive U.S. military strategies regarding a potential war with China was abruptly canceled, and the reason behind it may surprise you. According to a shocking report from Axios, the cancellation came directly from former President Donald Trump, who was enraged to learn that Elon Musk had been invited to the briefing.
The meeting, initially planned for March 20, was set to include high-ranking Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Musk, whose company SpaceX is integral to U.S. military operations, was to be briefed on the country’s military readiness in the face of a Chinese threat. However, Musk’s extensive business dealings with China, particularly through his electric car company Tesla, raised alarms within the White House.
Sources claim that Trump was furious when he found out Musk would be receiving top-secret information far beyond his security clearance.
“What the hell is Elon doing there?” Trump reportedly shouted to his aides. “Make sure he doesn’t go.”
While Musk’s ties to China have long raised concerns among government insiders, there were also questions about why he was invited in the first place. Some speculated that Musk’s influence and access to critical defense contracts made him a key player in U.S. defense matters. However, the idea of sharing classified military information with someone so deeply connected to a foreign power seemed too risky for many within the Trump administration.
“POTUS still admires Elon,” one senior official explained to Axios, “but there are boundaries. Elon has significant business interests in China and strong ties there, and this briefing just wasn’t appropriate.”
In the aftermath of the leak about the meeting’s existence, Trump took to Truth Social to vehemently deny the report, calling the story “completely untrue” and insisting that Musk was never going to be briefed on war plans with China.
However, Axios reported that the meeting was already called off by the time Trump posted his denial. Musk did still visit the Pentagon the following day, but the original plans were drastically scaled back. Instead of discussing military strategy, the conversation was shifted to less sensitive topics, and the highly anticipated briefing was no longer on the table.
Musk, clearly agitated by the leak, responded on X (formerly Twitter) by accusing Pentagon insiders of maliciously spreading false information. He demanded accountability, saying, “I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT. They will be found.”
His post triggered a swift response from the Defense Department, with two officials, Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick, being suspended as part of an ongoing investigation into the leak. Reports indicate that Selnick was escorted from the building as part of the fallout.
This incident adds to a growing list of leaks involving sensitive U.S. military operations, including intelligence on Panama, the Red Sea, and Ukraine. The situation is quickly evolving into a broader investigation into the Pentagon’s security and its handling of sensitive information.
The drama surrounding Musk and Trump highlights the sometimes unpredictable relationship between the two men. While they have publicly praised each other, this episode underscores a significant divide—especially when it comes to protecting national security. Despite personal admiration, Trump clearly isn’t willing to allow Musk to cross certain lines when it comes to classified military matters.
As investigations into the leaks continue, the fallout from this brief, but intense, drama is likely to have long-term repercussions on both political and defense fronts. The tension between Musk and the White House may just be the beginning of an even more complex and charged relationship.
