Emil Michael, the US Deputy Defense Secretary for Research and Engineering and the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, sold between $5 million and $25 million worth of Perplexity shares in June, according to his financial disclosures. Before joining the Trump administration, Michael served on the advisory board of the AI startup.

Perplexity Sale: $5–25 Million Range

The disclosures show Michael cashed out Perplexity shares somewhere in the $5 million to $25 million range. The exact figure isn’t specified, but the sale is confirmed in the filings.

Ties to Perplexity Before Government Service

Prior to his Pentagon appointment, Emil Michael was an advisor to Perplexity. After moving into his government role, he stepped down from the board and later reported the stock sale.

Earlier This Year: Sold xAI Stake

Those same filings reveal that earlier this year, Michael also sold a stake in xAI for up to $25 million. The disclosures don’t detail the asset structure or the exact timing of the transactions.