Elon Musk hosted Secretary of War nominee Pete Hegseth and senior Pentagon officials at SpaceX’s Starbase facility, emphasizing the critical role of advanced manufacturing in sustaining U.S. national strength. The visit included a tour of the Starbase factory, highlighting large-scale production capabilities and cutting-edge aerospace technology.

During his remarks, Musk underscored the importance of rapid innovation and scalable production to support American defense priorities. He advocated for “Star Trek”-inspired advancements in defense technology, stressing that private sector ingenuity can help overcome bureaucratic delays and maintain U.S. superiority in space and military capabilities.

The event reflects growing dialogue between private space companies and military leadership, positioning Starbase as a key site for testing and developing technologies that may complement national defense efforts. Hegseth’s presence reinforces the Trump administration’s approach to integrating private sector innovation with Pentagon planning to strengthen American defense readiness.