Hegseth, Musk to Meet at Pentagon      03/21 06:15

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said late Thursday that he 
would be meeting with billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon Friday to discuss 
"innovation, efficiencies & smarter production."

   Musk, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, and his Department of 
Government Efficiency have played an integral role in the administration's push 
to dramatically reduce the size of the government. Musk has faced intense 
blowback from some lawmakers and voters for his chainsaw-wielding approach to 
laying off workers and slashing programs, although Trump's supporters have 
hailed it.

   A senior defense official told reporters Tuesday that roughly 50,000 to 
60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in the Defense Department.

   In a post on Musk's X platform, Hegseth emphasized that "this is NOT a 
meeting about 'top secret China war plans,'" denying a story published by The 
New York Times late Thursday.

   Hegseth is also scheduled to deliver remarks with Trump at the White House 
Friday morning.