Elon Musk is returning to an official advisory role in the US government. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced that Musk will co-lead “Project Meridian,” a study on the future of warfare, alongside Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
What Project Meridian Will Study
Announced Wednesday in a speech at the Quantico military base, Project Meridian will examine “the domains we must conquer and capabilities we must master” for future conflicts. Hegseth said the project would look beyond the Pentagon itself, drawing on private-sector leaders and subject-matter experts from across the innovation, academic, and policy ecosystems. Findings are due within 120 days, with a public presentation and a separate classified report planned.
Who is co-leading the study?
Musk will share leadership with Palmer Luckey, the 34-year-old co-founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries, and Newt Gingrich, the 83-year-old former Republican House speaker. Both Musk’s SpaceX and Luckey’s Anduril are already major Pentagon contractors — SpaceX provides national-security launch services, while Anduril supplies electronic-warfare systems, interceptors, rocket motors and autonomous aircraft.
Why Musk is returning to government
Musk previously served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he led sweeping federal job cuts, before departing in May 2025. He later had a highly public falling-out with President Trump over spending legislation. The two have since reconciled: Musk was seated next to Trump at a lunch with AI executives this week, where tech leaders signed a voluntary AI safety accord the president described as “morally binding.” He attended the state dinner Trump hosted for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The bigger picture
Musk’s companies are deeply woven into US defense plans. SpaceX is building satellite networks for Trump’s planned “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, and his AI firm xAI signed a deal this year allowing the military to use its Grok chatbot on classified systems. Read more at Reuters.
Who is co-leading Project Meridian?
Elon Musk, Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
When will Project Meridian's findings be released?
Hegseth directed the findings to be completed within 120 days, with a public presentation and a classified annex.
Why did Elon Musk leave the Trump administration before?
He departed as head of DOGE in May 2025 and later had a public falling-out with Trump over spending legislation; the two have since reconciled.
What Pentagon contracts does Musk hold?
SpaceX provides national-security launches and is building satellites for the planned "Golden Dome" missile shield; xAI's Grok chatbot is cleared for military use on classified systems.