The Pentagon has dismissed a recent New York Times report involving Elon Musk and secret military plans.
The report claimed that officials would brief Musk on confidential U.S. military strategies regarding a potential conflict with China. However, Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, denounced the claim as “completely fake,” New York Post reported.
The New York Times alleged that Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, would receive a Pentagon briefing on top-secret plans for a potential war with China. The report suggested that this briefing would include a detailed slideshow of U.S. military strategies. These claims have drawn significant attention, prompting the Pentagon to issue an official response.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, was emphatic in his denial of the report's contents. His criticism highlighted how the article misrepresents the nature of Musk’s visit to the Pentagon. Parnell's firm dismissal underscored the Department of Defense's concerns about misinformation.
Parnell accused the New York Times of trying to subvert the Pentagon's mission with what he described as "garbage" reporting. He further emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, going so far as to call the report “egregious.” His statement left no room for ambiguity regarding the Pentagon's stance.
Sean Parnell said, “This is egregious. This is fake. The New York Times should retract this story. We want a guy like Elon Musk in the Defense Department to help us come up with creative solutions to the problems that we face today. But this article — this article is ridiculous. It’s fake. And I say it on the record.”
Beyond rejecting the report, Sean Parnell praised Elon Musk's contributions to U.S. defense. He called Musk a patriot and expressed pride in having him involved with the Pentagon’s initiatives. In doing so, Parnell seemed to stress the importance of collaboration between the defense sector and innovative tech leaders.
President Trump chimed in on the discussion, using Truth Social to set the record straight. He made it clear that any meeting with Musk would not broach the topic of China. Trump's firm dismissal of the report mirrored the Pentagon’s strong denial.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth added more context by speaking out on X. He clarified that Musk's visit was centered on discussions about "innovation, efficiencies & smarter production," with no links to military strategies concerning China.
The broad backlash against the New York Times report highlights concerns about the consequences of misinformation in the media. Both the Pentagon and the president strongly emphasize the importance of preserving the integrity of military affairs. Their joint opposition seeks to reassure the public about the factual basis of such claims.
The Pentagon frequently collaborates with influential business leaders like Elon Musk. As defense strategies evolve to meet technological advancements, these partnerships have become increasingly common. Military officials view Musk’s involvement as a valuable source of innovative solutions to their challenges.
Parnell maintained his position by stating, “100% fake news” and “just brazenly & maliciously wrong.” His sentiments echoed a clear determination to protect the integrity of defense-related information.
The New York Times must now address the Pentagon's sharp retort. Major media outlets must accurately report on defense matters, as their credibility is crucial. This incident highlights the need for diligence in news reporting, especially when national security is at stake.
The Pentagon aims to correct any misconceptions about its activities. By reaffirming the true purpose of Musk’s visit, defense officials seek to provide a clear account that contradicts the report.
Conclusively, the story begins and ends on a consistent note of denial from officials. From debunking the reported meeting focus to confirming priorities on defense innovation, the narrative remains anchored in ensuring the truth.
