Musk returns to Trump world for Pentagon war study
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Palmer Luckey, Newt Gingrich and Elon Musk at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Screenshot: DOD/via X
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will lead a Pentagon study of the future of warfare dubbed "Project Meridian," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's Musk's first official role advising the Trump administration since his very public feud last year with President Trump after departing DOGE. He has since reconciled with Trump.
Driving the news: Hegseth unveiled Meridian during his second address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
- "We are leveraging a unique source of American advantage, one our adversaries do not have: our innovators, our senior leaders and our technologists — big thinkers and doers who will forecast the creative solution for tomorrow's conflicts," Hegseth said.
- Meridian, he added, is not meant to produce new policy documents. Instead, it will examine "the domains we must conquer, and capabilities we must master."
- "Their work will be focused on discovering, developing and fielding the weapons and systems that our children and our grandchildren will need in their lifetimes."
Zoom in: Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael will help facilitate the project.
- Michael, speaking to reporters in December about America's industrial base, said he would like to see "five more Andurils and Palantirs and SpaceXs" flourish.
Follow the money: Musk's and Luckey's respective companies have big Pentagon contracts.
- SpaceX serves as America's national-security launch backbone, while Anduril furnishes jammers, interceptors, rocket motors and robo-wingmen.
What's next: The Meridian leadership was expected to meet for the first time on Wednesday. Final findings are expected in 120 days, Hegseth said.
- A public rollout is planned, along with a classified report.
Go deeper: Hegseth to generals: Embrace MAGA military or quit
