Elon Musk has assumed a new role, securing the United States’ highest scientific honor and taking charge of shaping the future of U.S. military warfare. On October 8, local time, President Trump presented Musk with the National Medal of Science at the White House—the nation’s most prestigious award in science. Among the recipients were other leading figures in technology, including Huang Renxun, Lisa Su, and Sergey Brin. This marked the first presentation of the medal during Trump’s second term.
The high-profile ceremony was no coincidence but rather an official signal of the deepening convergence between American politics, industry, and defense. Just eight days earlier, on September 30, the U.S. Department of Defense formally announced the “Meridian Project,” with Musk named as one of the core joint leads tasked with analyzing the evolution of warfare from 2030 to 2100 and redefining the structure of U.S. military operations.
The 120-day initiative will examine battlefields across all dimensions—from underground to beyond lunar orbit—and is expected to deliver two reports: one public, one classified—both directly feeding into Pentagon decision-making. Most significantly, traditional defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing have been excluded entirely. The U.S. military is now pivoting away from legacy defense systems toward tech-driven innovators like SpaceX and Anduril Industries, known for rapid iteration, software-centric development, and cost efficiency.
This marks an unprecedented arrangement in U.S. military history. Of the four core leaders, including Musk, none has prior military service. A businessman with no uniform experience now holds decisive influence over how future warfare will be defined and what equipment will be procured by the armed forces.
Strategic alignment has already taken concrete form. In recent months, SpaceX has secured multiple U.S. military contracts totaling over $6 billion, covering satellite early warning systems and critical military communications. Its AI and space technologies are being fully integrated into military applications, effectively merging the roles of rulemaker and primary supplier—a structural shift that undermines established checks and balances within the defense establishment.
This current alignment represents a full reconciliation between Musk and Trump following a period of intense strain. In 2024, Musk was Trump’s largest financial supporter; in 2025, they briefly severed ties over conflicting interests, nearly resulting in SpaceX losing all government contracts. Subsequent efforts to repair relations—through private conversations and public gestures—culminated in a deeply entwined partnership.
Now, with a White House designation and Pentagon authorization, Musk has received both symbolic recognition and institutional authority. Yet this mutually beneficial arrangement carries inherent risks. All strategic moves rest heavily on personal relationships rather than institutional safeguards, making them vulnerable to reversal with shifts in political leadership. Moreover, the dual role of judge and player raises persistent concerns over conflicts of interest and compliance, posing significant challenges ahead for Musk.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1878626094914572/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.