U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon on Wednesday, officials said, the second known time the close ally of President Donald Trump has visited the department's headquarters.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently met with Elon Musk and the X AI team at the Pentagon. The meeting highlights the Department of Defense's commitment to working with industry leaders to enhance AI capabilities for modern warfare.

The media will also be barred from offices of the Pentagon’s senior military leadership, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, without Hegseth’s approval and an escort from his aides. The staff of the Joint Chiefs has traditionally maintained a good relationship with the press.