Hegseth visits Bezos, Musk sites as tech moguls continue to win contracts

Source: USA Today

Feb. 2, 2026, 5:32 p.m. ET


Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth traveled to one of Jeff Bezos' space facilities in Florida on Feb. 2, as the military awards contracts to the owner of Blue Origin and other tech billionaires who have worked to burnish a chummy relationship with the Trump administration.

Hegseth's visit is part of his "Arsenal of Freedom" speaking tour, part of his campaign to reform the Pentagon's relationship with the "defense industrial base" – its system for handing out contracts to build weapons.

"We will unleash our companies, unleash industry, unleash the competitive spirit that allows America to come out on top," Hegseth told the crowd. "No more business as usual, which I know, Mr. Bezos, is music to your ears," he said.

Bezos' Blue Origin has become famous for offering pay-to-ride trips to space for ultrawealthy customers. But the company has also received billions of dollars in defense contracts to build high-tech projects such as nuclear-powered spacecraft, communication technology that uses space lasers and a processing facility for satellites.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/02/hegseth-blue-origin-speaking-tour/88475037007/