Steve Bannon, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, publicly called for a full investigation into what he described as Elon Musk’s attempts to gain access to highly classified briefings on U.S. war plans against China. Bannon, speaking on UnHerd Friday, accused the billionaire of improperly seeking sensitive national security information.
During his interview with UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers, Bannon questioned Musk’s motivations, highlighting that Musk has no apparent need for such highly sensitive information.
Bannon’s comments follow a report by The Atlantic, which stated that a planned Pentagon briefing for Musk faced significant opposition from then-President Trump. Trump reportedly believed that Musk’s extensive business ties to China made him unsuitable for discussions concerning sensitive national security matters, especially those related to potential conflicts with Beijing.
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“Why is Elon Musk, who has no need to know of that whatsoever, why was he forcing himself into the Pentagon to get a highly-classified brief? That has to be investigated,” Bannon asserted. He further suggested that Musk’s security clearance should be suspended, stating that without it, he should be unable to run his companies.
Bannon emphasized that Musk should not be privy to national security discussions, particularly those concerning Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party. He criticized Musk, stating, “Yesterday as a CEO and founder and major shareholder of a company that gets 80% to 90% of its revenues off government contracts, he just willy-nilly said he’s canceled one of the biggest programs, coupled with the reports that have not been refuted.” Bannon suggested that the Defense Production Act could be used to manage Musk’s companies, citing a “quite stable” management team beneath him.
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“They would run it until that time of his security clearance was sorted out. But I think that has to be done today. I’m the leading fighter against the Chinese Communist Party, of which, let’s be blunt, he’s an agent of influence of the Chinese Communist Party. He’s owned lock, stock, and barrel. I’ve said this for years,” Bannon claimed.
Bannon also stated that President Trump was reportedly “outraged” upon discovering that Musk had allegedly pressured Pentagon officials for a highly classified briefing on U.S. military strategies regarding China. “Why would Elon Musk need that other than to maybe talk to his business partners about it?” Bannon questioned, adding, “He has no need to know the business plan or the strategic plan and the warfighting plan against the Chinese Communist Party, particularly around Taiwan.”
Musk reportedly had frequent disagreements with Sergio Gor, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, over staffing decisions and policy issues. His access to the Pentagon was reportedly restricted, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly kept him out of the State Department.
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Trump and Musk publicly clashed this week, exchanging accusations and financial threats.
Trump suggested Musk’s anger stemmed from the failure of a bill to align with his vision, implying financial motives for Musk’s criticism after the bill removed an EV mandate. Musk, in response on X, denied Trump’s accusations, stating he had never reviewed the bill and criticized it for being rushed through Congress. RELATED: Musk Unleashes “Big Bomb”: Epstein Files Delayed Because Trump’s In Them; Trump Responds
After Trump’s 2024 victory, Musk was appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting wasteful government spending. However, by the end of May, Musk announced his tenure as a special government employee had concluded.
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