Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey have been tapped to provide high-stakes military input on defense decisions as part of a 120-day study led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move has raised eyebrows, with critics pointing out that the trio's ties to the administration may create conflicts of interest.
Musk and Luckey's involvement in the study comes as they both have companies involved in the development and sale of cutting-edge military technology. Musk's company SpaceX is working on advanced propulsion systems for rockets and satellites, while Luckey's VR headset company Oculus has developed virtual reality capabilities that could be used in military applications. Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House and key advisor to President Donald Trump, is also listed as one of the study's lead experts.
While Musk and Luckey's involvement may raise questions about their objectivity, Hegseth said they would provide valuable insights on the future of warfare. The defense secretary noted that his team has been looking for experts from a wide range of backgrounds to help inform the study's recommendations. However, critics argue that the study's focus on military technology and the trio's existing ties to the administration may lead to biased or unrealistic advice.