WASHINGTON: Tech billionaire Elon Musk is returning to an official advisory role in the US administration, joining a Pentagon initiative focused on examining the future of warfare.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian during a speech at the Quantico military base on Wednesday. He said the project would bring together leading innovators, senior officials and technology experts to assess future military challenges.
Musk will co-lead the initiative with Palmer Luckey, co-founder of defence technology company Anduril Industries, and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Hegseth said Project Meridian would identify emerging military domains and determine the capabilities the United States needs to develop. He has ordered the project to submit its findings within 120 days.
Musk previously led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he oversaw major federal workforce reductions before leaving the administration in May 2025.
His companies already maintain significant Pentagon ties. SpaceX is involved in developing satellite networks for President Donald Trump’s proposed Golden Dome missile defence system. Meanwhile, Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI has reached an agreement allowing the US military to use its Grok chatbot on classified systems.
Musk strongly backed Trump during the 2024 presidential election and spent more than $250 million supporting Trump and other Republican candidates. However, their relationship later deteriorated following a public dispute over Trump’s spending legislation.
The two have since reconciled, and Musk has returned to high-profile appearances alongside Trump. He recently attended a White House lunch with AI executives and a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Musk has also resumed political donations, contributing at least $90 million toward the November midterm elections, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
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