Nine current and former officials warn that billionaire defense executives could use privileged Pentagon access to steer more military contracts toward their companies.
Pentagon officials are warning that War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to enlist two billionaire defense executives to help shape the military’s future could create conflicts of interest and undermine the department’s long-term integrity, Politico reported.
The initiative, known as Project Meridian, calls on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, alongside former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to “map the trajectory of future warfare.”
The group is expected to submit its findings within four months.
Pentagon provides few details on commission
The Pentagon has disclosed little about the commission or the extent of its authority beyond a four-paragraph memo authorizing the project and stating that the United States must “dominate” the next generation of warfare.
It remains unclear whether the initiative could provide Musk and Luckey with the same level of influence Musk wielded last year as the head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Both Musk and Luckey, however, lead companies that hold billions of dollars in Pentagon contracts. Nine current and former officials said that preferential access to military decision-makers could enable the executives to steer additional government business toward their companies.
Critics warn of growing influence
Wes Bryant, a retired Air Force master sergeant who led the Pentagon’s civilian harm assessments until last year, said the project reflects a broader deterioration in government oversight and the growing influence of wealthy individuals.
“This is entirely indicative of the decay and oligarchy that has taken over our government and, in many cases, directly through purchasing influence and power and authority, blatantly right in front of us,” said Bryant.
“They’re not even trying to hide it anymore,” he added.
Hegseth’s decision to put Musk and other billionaire defense executives closer to the Pentagon’s most consequential decisions has intensified concerns over private influence, conflicts of interest, and the integrity of the department’s future.
Project Meridian now faces scrutiny over whether public military priorities could become too closely intertwined with the interests of powerful private contractors.
Source: News websites
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