Pentagon taps controversial DOGE employee to lead its AI efforts amid Anthropic fallout

Source: The Independent

Friday 06 March 2026 17:46 EST


The Pentagon has appointed a computer scientist who has amplified white supremacists and misogynists online as its new Chief Data Officer, placing him at the heart of the Department’s ambitious artificial intelligence initiatives.

Gavin Kliger, who previously assisted billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to overhaul government operations, will now oversee the "day-to-day alignment and execution of the Department’s AI projects, working directly with America's frontier AI labs to support the warfighter," the Pentagon stated in a social media post.

Between October 2024 and January 2025, Kliger's social media posts included controversial views and reposted content from figures such as white supremacist Nick Fuentes and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate. Neither the Pentagon nor Mr. Kliger immediately responded to requests for comment.

This appointment unfolds amid significant tensions surrounding the Pentagon's AI strategy. The administration recently opted to replace Anthropic with OpenAI after a heated, weeks-long dispute over guardrails for military AI tools.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/doge-employee-pentagon-gavin-kliger-ai-b2933752.html