WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Friday denied reports that Elon Musk would see top secret US plans for a possible war with China, saying that his billionaire ally´s links with Beijing raised potential conflicts of interest.
The rare acknowledgment of Musk´s dueling roles in business and government came as Trump pushed back against media reports saying the Space X and Tesla owner would receive a Pentagon briefing on its China strategy.
The reports fanned concern about the influence of the world´s richest man in the White House as an unelected, South African-born tycoon who has become Trump´s closest adviser. Musk did visit the Pentagon on Friday, but Trump insisted he was “there for DOGE, not for China” -- referring to Musk´s Department for Government Efficiency, which is expanding its cost-cutting drive to the defence department.
“I don´t want to show it to anybody. You´re talking about a potential war with China,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the possibility of sharing the war plan with Musk. “Certainly you wouldn´t show it to a businessman... Elon has businesses in China and he would be susceptible perhaps to that.”
Musk´s automaker Tesla produces some of its electric vehicles at a huge so-called gigafactory in Shanghai and is trying to compete with fast-growing Chinese manufacturers. The entrepreneur has become a cult figure in China and has fostered ties with its leadership. He has also caused controversy by suggesting the self-ruled island of Taiwan should become part of China.
Representational image of police tape at an incident site. — Unsplash/FileKANO, Nigeria: Jihadists have killed at...
Law enforcement officers work at the site of a car bomb, which killed senior Russian military officer, in Balashikha,...
Representational image of a gravel. —Unsplash/file WINDHOEK: Namibia´s president has dismissed agriculture...
Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney speaks during a campaign rally in Mississauga, Ontario, April...
Demonstrators protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and deportations carried out by US President...
People inspect damage following clashes in Libya's capital, Tripoli.— AFP/FileTRIPOLI: Unidentified gunmen shot dead...