Elon Musk is no ordinary billionaire. He’s the world’s richest man, the head of multiple frontier technologies, a chainsaw-wielding exhibitionist, and direct advisor to President Trump. That alone raises concerns. But add in his deep financial ties to China, his influence over U.S. defense infrastructure, and his alleged ketamine use, and those concerns increase exponentially.

When we think of national security threats, we think of foreign adversaries, spies, rogue actors and hostile governments. We think of cyberattacks, intelligence leaks and backdoor deals made in smoky rooms. But what if one of the greatest risks isn’t an outsider trying to break in, but rather an insider so deeply enmeshed in America’s technological and defense systems that his personal interests could compromise the entire structure? One could argue that this is the risk posed by Elon Musk.

The 53-year-old’s relationship with China is lucrative; it's also dangerous. He has long heaped praise on the Chinese Communist Party, calling the Chinese “smart” and “hardworking.” Musk has even parroted Beijing’s talking points on Taiwan, likening it to Hawaii. Unlike other Western CEOs who take a more cautious stance, Musk’s demeanor is clearly deferential, even sycophantic.

Why? Because China holds significant leverage over him.

Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory exists because the Chinese Communist Party greenlit it. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his colleagues offer Tesla rare privileges not afforded to other foreign automakers. In turn, Tesla relies on China for manufacturing, battery production and a massive chunk of its revenue. Tesla’s presence in........

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