US President Donald Trump acknowledged his ally Elon Musk's potential conflicts of interest for the first time on Friday (Mar 21) and said that the DOGE chief should not be allowed to see top-secret plans for any war with China.
The rare admission comes after weeks of Trump dismissing the wealthy businessman's conflict of interests in leading the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/these-are-terrorists-trump-defends-musk-says-tesla-attacks-worse-than-jan-6-capitol-riot-8878054">'These are terrorists': Trump defends Musk, says Tesla attacks worse than Jan. 6 Capitol riot</a>
<h2>What did Trump say about Musk?</h2>
When asked to comment on media reports that Musk, the world's richest man, would receive a classified Pentagon briefing on US war strategy, Trump said, "I don't want to show it to anybody."
"You're talking about a potential war with China," he noted, adding, "Certainly you wouldn&rsquo;t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much".
"Elon has businesses in China and he would be susceptible perhaps to that," admitted Trump.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-war-or-doge-cuts-inside-elon-musks-controversial-pentagon-visit-that-trump-hegseth-rushed-to-defend-8877941">China war or DOGE cuts? Inside Musk&rsquo;s controversial Pentagon visit that Trump, Hegseth rushed to defend</a>
Tesla, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has major business interests in China. However, he also has huge defence contracts in the US. This has raised concerns about his influence and the potential conflict of interest.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-get-jailed-in-el-salvador-prisons-trump-threatens-terrorists-harming-musk-tesla-with-20-year-jail-term-8877058">&lsquo;Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons&rsquo;: Trump threatens &lsquo;terrorists&rsquo; harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year&nbsp;jail</a>
However, the US President then jumped to Musk's defence. Describing Musk as a "patriot" Trump then hailed the DOGE chief's efforts to slash back the US federal government, including the US Defense Department. Trump made this statement while unveiling a contract for Boeing to build the next-generation F-47 fighter jet.
This comes after Musk, on Friday visited the Pentagon, and reports, first published in the New York Times, speculated about the visit. Reports suggested that Musk was to receive a briefing in a secure room dubbed "The Tank" on maritime tactics and targeting plans.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Trending | World | Discover US President Donald Trump's rare admission about Elon Musk's potential conflicts of interest regarding US-China war plans.

US President Donald Trump acknowledged his ally Elon Musk's potential conflicts of interest for the first time on Friday (Mar 21) and said that the DOGE chief should not be allowed to see top-secret plans for any war with China. The rare admission comes after weeks of Trump dismissing the wealthy businessman's conflict of interests in leading the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Also read | 'These are terrorists': Trump defends Musk, says Tesla attacks worse than Jan. 6 Capitol riot What did Trump say about Musk? When asked to comment on media reports that Musk, the world's richest man, would receive a classified Pentagon briefing on US war strategy, Trump said, "I don't want to show it to anybody." "You're talking about a potential war with China," he noted, adding, "Certainly you wouldn’t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much". "Elon has businesses in China and he would be susceptible perhaps to that," admitted Trump. Also read | China war or DOGE cuts? Inside Musk’s controversial Pentagon visit that Trump, Hegseth rushed to defend Tesla, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has major business interests in China. However, he also has huge defence contracts in the US. This has raised concerns about his influence and the potential conflict of interest. Also read | ‘Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons’: Trump threatens ‘terrorists’ harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year jail However, the US President then jumped to Musk's defence. Describing Musk as a "patriot" Trump then hailed the DOGE chief's efforts to slash back the US federal government, including the US Defense Department. Trump made this statement while unveiling a contract for Boeing to build the next-generation F-47 fighter jet. This comes after Musk, on Friday visited the Pentagon, and reports, first published in the New York Times, speculated about the visit. Reports suggested that Musk was to receive a briefing in a secure room dubbed "The Tank" on maritime tactics and targeting plans. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump makes rare admission on Musk’s conflicts of interest, says 'wouldn’t show' businessman China war plans

Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire who purchased Twitter (now renamed as X) for $44 million because he was bored — according to a biography on Musk by Walter Isaacson — has a place in the Donald Trump administration, if the Republican wins.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:85,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1962}">Elon Musk 'dying to do this'</h2>

In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, the former US president said that Musk was "dying to do this".

When asked about which agencies he would shut down to trim the "fat in government," Trump said,&nbsp;"Let me have you ask another person that".

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:229,&quot;w&quot;:616,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2106}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-third-assassination-attempt-suspect-faces-gun-charges-767137">Third assassination bid on Trump days after demanding&nbsp;military aircraft for safety;&nbsp;Suspect faces gun charges</a>

"Because I’m going to have Elon Musk — he is dying to do this. You know, he's a great business guy, actually," he added.

"You think of him for science and rockets. And every time I think he's telling me about a new screw that was developed, he's developed a new screw — screws are difficult — and it's made out of titanium, and it's so exciting."&nbsp;

"But you know what? He's a great business guy, and he's a great cost-cutter. You've seen that. And he said 'I could cut costs without affecting anybody'," he added.

However, Trump said that Musk would not be in his cabinet,&nbsp;"He doesn't want to be in the cabinet. He just wants to be in charge of cost-cutting."

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:495,&quot;w&quot;:582,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2372}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-spoke-to-israeli-pm-netanyahu-two-days-ago-amid-rising-tensions-767131">Trump says he spoke to Israeli PM Netanyahu 'two days ago' amid rising tensions</a>

The Republican presidential candidate said that he'll make a new post for the SpaceX CEO,&nbsp;"We'll have a new position: secretary of cost-cutting, OK? Elon wants to do that, and we have incredible people. He's running a big business. You know, he can't just say, 'Oh, I think I'll go into the cabinet.' You know, other people can. He can't. But Elon's a little bit different in that sense."

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:615,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2492}">Musk's Twitter disaster</h2>

In 2022, Musk decided that he was the "fire-breathing dragon" Twitter needed. After buying the social media platform for $44 million, he fired 80 per cent of its staff and lost a huge amount of ad revenue.&nbsp;

It has been widely reported that advertisers were wary of their brands appearing next to harmful content that might not have been removed under Musk's leadership.

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire who purchased Twitter (now renamed as X) for $44 million because he was bored — according to a biography on Musk by Walter Isaacson — has a place in the Donald Trump administration, if the Republican wins.

Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire who purchased Twitter (now renamed as X) for $44 million because he was bored — according to a biography on Musk by Walter Isaacson — has a place in the Donald Trump administration, if the Republican wins. Elon Musk 'dying to do this' In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, the former US president said that Musk was "dying to do this". When asked about which agencies he would shut down to trim the "fat in government," Trump said, "Let me have you ask another person that". Also read | Third assassination bid on Trump days after demanding military aircraft for safety; Suspect faces gun charges "Because I’m going to have Elon Musk — he is dying to do this. You know, he's a great business guy, actually," he added. "You think of him for science and rockets. And every time I think he's telling me about a new screw that was developed, he's developed a new screw — screws are difficult — and it's made out of titanium, and it's so exciting." "But you know what? He's a great business guy, and he's a great cost-cutter. You've seen that. And he said 'I could cut costs without affecting anybody'," he added. However, Trump said that Musk would not be in his cabinet, "He doesn't want to be in the cabinet. He just wants to be in charge of cost-cutting." Also read | Trump says he spoke to Israeli PM Netanyahu 'two days ago' amid rising tensions The Republican presidential candidate said that he'll make a new post for the SpaceX CEO, "We'll have a new position: secretary of cost-cutting, OK? Elon wants to do that, and we have incredible people. He's running a big business. You know, he can't just say, 'Oh, I think I'll go into the cabinet.' You know, other people can. He can't. But Elon's a little bit different in that sense." Musk's Twitter disaster In 2022, Musk decided that he was the "fire-breathing dragon" Twitter needed. After buying the social media platform for $44 million, he fired 80 per cent of its staff and lost a huge amount of ad revenue. It has been widely reported that advertisers were wary of their brands appearing next to harmful content that might not have been removed under Musk's leadership. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk to join Trump's team? Billionaire 'dying' to be US' 'secretary of cost-cutting,' says ex-president

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Trump makes rare admission on Musk’s conflicts of interest, says 'wouldn’t show' businessman China war plans

Elon Musk to join Trump's team? Billionaire 'dying' to be US' 'secretary of cost-cutting,' says ex-president