1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

Providing Elon Musk with highly sensitive Pentagon briefings on potential military operations against China represents an egregious conflict of interest that must be prevented. As the CEO of major government contractors like SpaceX and Tesla, which have significant financial stakes in China, granting Mr. Musk access to closely guarded war plans could severely compromise national security. These plans detail critical strategic vulnerabilities that, if revealed, would allow China to reinforce its defenses, rendering the strategies ineffective. Moreover, Mr. Musk's extensive business ties to China create clear monetary incentives that could unduly influence his advice to the administration, prioritizing his private interests over national objectives. Conflict of interest rules exist precisely to maintain integrity and public trust in government processes. Allowing a private citizen with deep financial ties to an adversary to obtain classified military contingency plans constitutes an unprecedented breach that risks undermining military readiness and American strategic advantages. This briefing must not proceed to protect the nation's vital security interests.