In a recent development, tech magnate Elon Musk has been labeled a "national security risk" by a retired U.S. army general.
The accusation stems from Musk's close ties with the Chinese government, which have raised concerns about potential security breaches.
As reported by The Independent, Lieutenant General Russel L. Honor, who retired from the army in 2008, has expressed his apprehensions about Musk's history of appeasing the Chinese Communist Party and his numerous business transactions with the party, especially in the context of the modern space race.
In a hard-hitting op-ed published in The New York Times, Honor pointed out that Musk and his company SpaceX are already under federal scrutiny for failing to provide details of meetings with foreign leaders. However, he emphasized that these infractions were "just the beginning of my worries."
Musk's financial dealings with China have been a point of contention. He has previously borrowed at least $1.4 billion from banks controlled by the Chinese government to construct a "gigafactory" in Shanghai for Tesla. This factory accounted for over half of Tesla's global deliveries in the third quarter of 2024.
"China does not tend to give things away," Honor wrote. "The countrys laws stipulate that the Communist Party can demand intelligence from any company doing business in China, in exchange for participating in the countrys markets."
Honor further warned that Musk's business operations in China could necessitate him to surrender sensitive classified information, acquired either through his business interests or his proximity to President-elect Donald Trump.
Musk's close association with Trump has already sparked controversy in Washington, with many questioning the extent of influence the tech mogul has been granted. The duo recently collaborated online to torpedo a bipartisan congressional spending bill, allegedly because it lacked Musks approval. Alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk is set to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Interestingly, even Ramaswamy has voiced concerns about potential national security issues surrounding Musk and China. In May 2023, he publicly stated, I have no reason to think Elon wont jump like a circus monkey when [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping calls in the hour of need. The U.S. needs leaders who arent in Chinas pocket, he wrote in a separate post on X, although he did not name Musk.
Honor also drew attention to SpaceXs near monopoly on U.S. rocket launches, expressing concern about China potentially having an easier way of obtaining classified intelligence and national security information.
The retired general highlighted the federal reviews faced by Musk and SpaceX over his meetings with foreign leaders the details of many have not been disclosed and other potential violations of national-security rules.
Honor's primary concern is whether the Trump administration would take such potential threats seriously. He wrote, The fact that Mr. Musk spent a quarter of a billion dollars to help re-elect Mr. Trump does not give the incoming White House the license to look the other way at the national security risks he may pose.
Honor concluded by urging the Trump administration to act on this matter without delay. He wrote, If Mr. Trump and his appointees mean what they say about getting tough on Americas adversaries, then they will act on this matter without delay. There is too much at stake to ignore whats right in front of them.
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