2026-10-01 23:17 UTC
Hegseth puts the future of warfare in the hands of major MAGA donors
Installing tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to Pentagon defense board raises conflict-of-interest concerns
By installing the tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to advisory roles in a Pentagon project about the future of warfare, the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, bestowed extraordinary influence on two of Maga’s most significant campaign donors – and both men own companies that benefit from federal defense contracting.
The new project, which Hegseth dubbed “Project Meridian” in an event in Quantico, Virginia, on Wednesday, will be led by Pentagon official Emil Michael, a former Uber executive. As the Guardian has reported, Michael made millions in profits off non-public Musk company AI stock while in federal office – and while guiding the Department of Defense’s artificial intelligence efforts.
Along with Luckey and Musk, Project Meridian will also include the Trump loyalist and former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
Replies (5)
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@Notserious@lemmy.ca 2026-10-02 04:27
What’s with the guy with pubes on his chin? I thought no beardos
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@Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-10-02 05:14
Yet another infuriating yet COMPLETELY unsurprising headline about the Trump kakistocracy 🤬😮💨
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@Ioughttamow@fedia.io 2026-10-02 01:44
Uh oh, enemy position ahead! Buy a one time firing solution!
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@northernlights@lemmy.today 2026-10-01 23:55
News at 11
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@UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 2026-10-03 08:34
Capitalism is not a stable foundation to build civilization on.