Trump slams 'ridiculous' NYT report over claims that Musk to see China war plans

US President Donald Trump denies NYT report

US President Donald Trump has rejected as "fake news" a report by the New York Times that claimed that tech billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the department of government efficiency (DOGE), will be briefed about the American military’s contingency plan for any potential war with China.

Musk has deep business ties to China, through his role as CEO of Tesla, which manufactures and sells tens of thousands of electric vehicles each month in that country, which is the largest market for electric cars.

In a media post on his Truth Social media platform, the President dismissed the report as "Fake News". The report was “ridiculous” and “completely untrue”, he said,  adding ,“China will not even be mentioned or discussed.” “How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies.”

In a social media post, defence secretary Pete Hegseth called the NYT report "fake". Musk would visit the Pentagon on March 22 and would see top-secret operational plans, he said. “It’s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies & smarter production,” he posted.

This is 100% Fake News. Just brazenly & maliciously wrong.Elon Musk is a patriot. We are proud to have him at the Pentagon. pic.twitter.com/LiyXrl8gCi Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) March 21, 2025

The NYT report claimed that said several unnamed US officials familiar with the plan said Musk would be shown details of American military strategies in a briefing led by Hegseth and senior US military leaders.

The presentation could reveal some of the Pentagon's most closely held strategic insights to the billionaire with significant business connections in China.

The White House has previously said Musk will recuse himself if any conflicts of interest arise between his business dealings and his role in cutting federal government spending, the report said.

The briefing for the China war plan has about 20 to 30 slides that lay out how the United States would fight such a conflict, the NYT report said.

Musk is one of Donald Trump’s key advisers and a major financial supporter, having contributed tens of millions of dollars to help him secure a second term.

He also leads DOGE , which is US government initiative to reduce federal staffing and spending. Musk’s companies hold billions in lucrative federal contracts, including with the Pentagon.

Despite rising military tensions between the US and China, particularly over Taiwan and the South China Sea, there are no indications that war between the two largest global economies is on the horizon.