Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Trump Reportedly Blocks Musk from China Meeting Amid White House Concerns
Former President Donald Trump reportedly prevented Elon Musk from attending a highly classified government briefing concerning China, following concerns raised by White House officials regarding the billionaire’s presence. The decision came after anxieties within the administration grew about Musk’s extensive business interests in China and his increasing involvement in government matters.
Pentagon Officials Suspended After Briefing Leak
Two senior Pentagon officials, Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick, faced suspension by then-acting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This action followed an internal investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of the China briefing to Musk. The leak prompted a swift reaction and heightened scrutiny within government circles.
President Trump Orders Cancellation
According to reports from Axios, Secretary Hegseth did not solely decide to cancel the assembly post-leak; instead, the directive to terminate the meeting originated directly from the President. Sources indicate Trump expressed strong disapproval upon learning of the Tesla CEO’s intended participation.
Expletive-Laden Reaction to Musk’s Attendance
Trump allegedly erupted in anger upon discovering Musk’s planned attendance, demanding to his staff, “What the f**k is Elon doing there? Make sure he doesn’t go,” according to a high-ranking official. This outburst underscores the President’s firm stance on Musk’s involvement in the sensitive briefing.
Concerns Over Musk’s China Ties
The President’s displeasure reportedly stemmed from apprehension about providing Musk with the briefing, given the SpaceX founder’s significant financial ventures in China. These business connections raised red flags within the administration, particularly concerning potential conflicts of interest.
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This development occurred amidst growing unease among administration officials regarding Musk’s frequent White House presence, unconventional social media activity, and active role within his Department of Government Efficiency position. While Trump had previously voiced support for Musk and his governmental contributions, the tech magnate’s deep ties to China seemingly became a point of contention.
The President had also previously assured that Musk, in his capacity as head of DOGE, would be excluded from any domains where conflicts of interest could arise.
President Donald Trump reportedly personally cancelled Elon Musk’s briefing on China
Top Defense aides Dan Caldwell (left) and Darin Selnick (right) were escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday after allegedly being identified during the leak investigation
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greets Elon Musk at Pentagon ahead of their March 21 meeting
Administration’s ‘Red Lines’ and Musk’s Business Interests
“POTUS still admires Elon, but boundaries exist,” a source revealed to the news outlet. “Elon has substantial business operations in China and maintains positive relationships there, making this specific briefing inappropriate.” This statement highlights the delicate balance between valuing Musk’s contributions and guarding against perceived risks due to his international business dealings.
On March 20, The New York Times reported Musk’s impending briefing on the U.S. military’s contingency plans for potential conflict with China.
Trump Administration Denies War Plans Briefing
Shortly after the report surfaced online, both President Trump and Pentagon officials refuted the notion that the session would encompass military strategies concerning China. Trump dismissed the report as inaccurate on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“They falsely claimed Elon Musk is visiting the Pentagon tomorrow for a briefing on a potential ‘war with China,'” Trump posted. “How absurd? China will not even be mentioned or discussed. How disgraceful that the discredited media fabricates such falsehoods. In any case, the story is completely untrue!!!”
According to Axios, this message was posted after he instructed officials to withhold information about China from Musk.
Musk’s Tesla Operations in China
Musk’s electric vehicle company, Tesla, runs its largest manufacturing facility, Gigafactory Shanghai, in China. This plant accounted for approximately half of Tesla’s total vehicle production in the preceding year, underscoring the significance of the Chinese market to Musk’s business empire.
Meeting Proceeded, China Reportedly Off-Limits
Despite the controversy, the Pentagon meeting proceeded as scheduled. Musk arrived at the Pentagon via motorcade on March 21 and was received by Secretary Hegseth. The meeting, lasting 80 minutes and involving aides and military personnel, reportedly did not include discussions about China. Musk declined to elaborate on the meeting’s specifics.
“Why should I tell you?” he responded to a reporter’s inquiry about the meeting’s content.
The New York Times reported on March 20 that Musk would be getting briefed on the US military’s plans for what to do should any war break out with China
Trump greets Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk during a rally the day before Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, January 19, 2025
Trump Continues to Blast ‘Fake News’
Even on the day of the meeting, President Trump remained critical, denouncing the New York Times article as “fake news.”
Conflict of Interest Concerns Raised Post-Meeting
Following the Musk-Hegseth meeting at the White House, Trump reiterated his reluctance to disclose U.S. plans for a possible conflict with China and alluded to Musk’s potential conflict of interest.
“We don’t seek a potential war with China, but if necessary, we are exceptionally prepared. However, such preparations should not be revealed indiscriminateley, certainly not to a businessman,” Trump stated. “Elon has business ventures in China and might be vulnerable as a result.”
Focus on Leak Investigation and Musk’s Warning
Much of the administration’s anger was directed at the New York Times for initially publishing the story. Subsequently, Musk issued a warning about the consequences of the leak.
“I anticipate prosecutions for those at the Pentagon deliberately leaking false information to NYT. They will be identified,” he posted on his social media platform X.
Tensions Heightened Amid US-China Trade War
While details of the Pentagon session remain confidential, Trump’s reaction occurs during a period of escalating tensions between the United States and China. The U.S. President has intensified the trade dispute with China, imposing a significant 125 percent tariff on Chinese imports, supplementing a prior 20 percent levy related to fentanyl implemented earlier in the year – effectively raising the total tariff rate to 145 percent.
China’s Retaliatory Tariffs
Beijing has responded with equally aggressive countermeasures. In retaliation, China increased its tariffs on U.S. products from 84 percent to 125 percent. These escalating tariffs underscore the deepening economic friction between the two global powers.