The Rift Forgotten? Elon Musk's Surprising Comeback to the Trump Administration
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a panel to advise on future warfare matters called "Project Meridian," and brought back the world's richest man, Elon Musk, to the fold of the Trump…
Assessment
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to bring Elon Musk back into the Trump administration as deputy chair of a new panel on future warfare raises obvious conflict of interest questions. The panel, called Project Meridian, advises an agency that is a massive source of revenue for Musk's businesses and other panel members with defense industry ties. The move suggests the administration is prioritizing access and loyalty over ethical boundaries. Watch for scrutiny of Musk's dual roles and whether the panel's recommendations benefit his companies directly.