Warren Questions Pentagon Awarding $200 Million Contract to Integrate Elon Musk’s “Grok” Into Military Systems Following the Chatbot’s Antisemitic Posts

Warren Questions Pentagon Awarding $200 Million Contract to Integrate Elon Musk's "Grok" Into Military Systems Following the Chatbot's Antisemitic Posts

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to the Department of Defense (DoD) with concerns about its decision to award Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) company, xAI, a $200 million contract to use "Grok," its controversial AI chatbot, which has been known to generate misinformation, along with offensive and antisemitic posts. Senator Warren also raised concerns about xAI's access to sensitive government data and that the contract may be another example of Musk improperly benefitting from his time in government.

Musk has marketed Grok as an "unfiltered" and "truth-seeking" chatbot that does not subscribe to politically correct standards. Grok has been known to provide inaccurate information when asked about historical events and natural disasters, including wrong names, dates, and details of events. While erroneous responses are a common pitfall of all generative AI, Grok is unique because Musk has called on X users to help train Grok, who then posted conspiracy theories and disinformation. Grok recently "engaged in Holocaust denial and repeatedly brought up false claims of 'white genocide' in South Africa." Grok also does not appear to apply customary safety filters to its responses and "will happily give you advice on how to commit murders and terrorist attacks."

The lack of safety features has also resulted in Grok creating antisemitic and other offensive content. Days after Musk boasted on social media about significant improvements to the xAI chatbot, "Grok was calling itself 'MechaHitler'" and recommending a second Holocaust to neo-Nazi accounts.

According to a former Pentagon contracting official, the xAI contract "came out of nowhere," when other companies had been under consideration for months. Analysts have also indicated that "xAI [did not] have the kind of reputation or track record that typically leads to lucrative government contracts." During his time as a special government employee, Musk had access to sensitive government contracting, national security, and personnel data.

"The circumstances under which [xAI] received the contract raise questions about whether Mr. Musk…was given inappropriate or undue consideration for this $200 million award," said Senator Warren.

There are also no indications that the xAI contract limits Musk's ability to collect and use data related to national security and Musk's competitors outside of this contract. Without these limits, it could become difficult for the government to switch to alternative technology solutions in the future, ultimately making the contracting process less competitive.

"DoD must ensure its procurement decisions encourage competition and avoid consolidation that can lead to higher prices, concentration of risk, and the stifling of innovation," wrote the senator.

"As Secretary of Defense, you are responsible for protecting highly sensitive and classified information, procuring the best tools through a competitive acquisition process, and ensuring that every servicemember is treated with dignity and respect," Senator Warren reminded Secretary Hegseth. "Instead, under your leadership, the Department awarded a $200 million contract under questionable circumstances to incorporate an AI company with a product that provides misinformation and offensive, antisemitic responses into DoD's operations."

Senator Warren asked DoD to explain, by September 24, 2025, (1) whether officials ever discussed the contract with Musk during his time as a special government employee; (2) whether the contract with xAI underwent a "DOGE review;" (3) xAI's scope of work; (4) how DoD plans to implement Grok into its operations; and (5) who is accountable for any operational or security failures caused by the use of Grok.

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