US President Donald Trump has claimed that his close ally Elon Musk is not going to the Pentagon on Friday to be briefed on a possible war with China, contrary to reports by several media outlets, including the New York Times.

"They falsely said Elon Musk was going to the Pentagon tomorrow (Friday) to be briefed on a possible 'war with China'. This is ridiculous! China won't even be mentioned or discussed," Donald Trump wrote Thursday evening on his Truth Social platform.

The New York Times, citing two US officials as sources, reported that US plans for conflict with Beijing would be presented to the world's richest man during his visit to the Defense Ministry.

The SpaceX and Tesla boss largely funded Donald Trump's presidential campaign, which he appointed to head a commission tasked with drastically reducing US public spending.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Elon Musk would indeed visit the Pentagon in suburban Washington on Friday, but he insisted that China was not on the agenda.

"This is not a meeting about 'top secret' plans for a war against China. This is an informal meeting about innovation, efficiency, and smarter production," he wrote on X.

"I've been to the Pentagon many times in the past. This won't be my first," Musk replied.

"The New York Times is pure propaganda," the multi-billionaire denounced in another post on Thursday night. "I look forward to seeing those in the Pentagon who maliciously spread false information to the NYT prosecuted. They will be found."