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ASHINGTON — In a recent Pentagon meeting on Friday, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and a prominent efficiency advisor to former President Donald Trump, conveyed his readiness to contribute in any capacity to improve governmental functions. He engaged in discussions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding multiple initiatives.
A segment aired by CNN captured Musk as he departed the meeting, during which he evaded inquiries about whether he had received any classified briefings pertaining to China. Hegseth had previously announced the gathering, emphasizing a focus on “innovation, efficiencies, and smarter production.”
The Pentagon is currently assessing which personnel and programs to eliminate in a bid to achieve budget cuts ranging from 5% to 8%. However, apprehensions are mounting among lawmakers and oversight committees regarding Musk’s influence in Pentagon affairs, particularly since SpaceX significantly benefits from various federal contracts.
Musk has played a crucial role within the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheading efforts during the Trump administration to dramatically reduce the size of government operations. His direct approach to layoffs and program terminations has sparked criticism from some lawmakers and constituents, while garnering support from those aligned with the Republican agenda.
A high-ranking official from the Defense Department informed journalists that approximately 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs are anticipated to be cut as part of these budgetary reforms.
In a statement shared on Musk’s platform, Hegseth clarified that their discussion was “NOT about ‘top secret China war plans,’” aiming to refute claims made in a recent newspaper article.
