US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief and entrepreneur Elon Musk’s upcoming meeting with the Pentagon on Friday is linked to a highly confidential war strategy concerning China, US media has reported. 

The meeting would focus on China, though no additional details were provided, reported the New York Times, citing unnamed officials. Another official confirmed that Musk was scheduled to meet with Pentagon officials on Friday, but specific details remained unclear.

According to the NYT, a top-secret briefing on the China war plan consists of approximately 20 to 30 slides outlining how the United States would engage in such a conflict. The briefing reportedly details early threat indications from China, potential targets, and the timeline for military actions—information that would ultimately be presented to President Donald Trump for decision-making.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Musk was scheduled to be briefed on US war planning regarding China.

However, within hours of the report’s publication, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth refuted the claims, stating on social media, “This is NOT a meeting about ‘top secret China war plans’. It’s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies and smarter production. Gonna be great!”

President Donald Trump also dismissed the New York Times report, calling it fake news. In a late-night social media post, he wrote, “The Fake News is at it again, this time the failing New York Times… China will not be mentioned or discussed. How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies.”

Elon Musk also criticised the report, calling it “pure propaganda”. He also expressed his desire for the prosecution of those at the Pentagon responsible for leaking “maliciously false information” to the media.

Musk clarified that he has visited the Pentagon multiple times over the years and that this meeting was no different. He has also been granted authority regarding government efficiency, but speculation surrounding the meeting has caused a stir online.

Many US netizens sided with Trump and Musk, dismissing the report as misinformation. Some even called the publication “a woke propaganda rag”.

The key question remains: Who leaked this information, and are the speculations about Musk’s discussion of China war plans with the Pentagon accurate? As of now, there is no certainty.

Trump and Musk have both promised to find out who from the office leaked the information and stated that the person will not be spared.