Elon Musk, American billionaire, met Pentagon officials Friday, sparking widespread speculation. Meeting followed Thursday’s New York Times report claiming U.S. military briefed Musk on potential war plans against China.

Musk fiercely denied allegations, calling them “completely baseless and false.” He emphasized no China-related discussions occurred during Pentagon talks.

Musk warned of investigating whether any Defense Department official leaked such “fake information.” He also threatened legal action against New York Times for publishing what he labeled fabricated news. Pentagon meeting focused on innovation and efficiency, not war strategies, clarified U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hexes.

New York Times report, published day before Musk’s Pentagon visit, triggered controversy. Allegations suggested U.S. military prepared Musk for possible Beijing conflict. Musk dismissed claims, asserting zero evidence supported story. Outraged, he vowed to probe source of alleged misinformation within Pentagon ranks.

President Trump echoed Musk’s frustration. In social media post, Trump stated no Washington-Beijing war talks happened. He criticized media for spreading rumors. Federal employees, rattled by Musk’s threats, adopted extra caution. Some now use encrypted messages and personal devices to safeguard confidentiality.

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Musk’s business ties with China, notably through Tesla, raised eyebrows. Experts warn such reports could strain those relations. Negative fallout might impact his ventures, they suggest. Meanwhile, Pentagon reiterated meeting aimed at boosting technological advancements, not plotting conflicts.

Incident has fueled tension, with federal workers on edge over potential leaks. Musk’s stern response underscored his intolerance for unverified claims, putting media and officials on notice.