**Elon Musk's appointment as co-lead of Project Meridian, announced September 30, 2026, by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, anchors current trader expectations.** The short-term Pentagon initiative studies future warfare domains and technologies, with Musk serving alongside Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich under CTO Emil Michael. The group has a fixed 120-day mandate ending with findings due no later than January 28, 2027. No subsequent official statements, personnel changes, or reported conflicts have emerged in the first week since launch. Musk's prior DOGE role and his companies' existing defense contracts provide context for the selection, but the advisory structure and deadline limit scope for mid-process removal. Traders price the "No" outcome at 79.5% because the timeline aligns with project completion and lacks catalysts for early departure.