Elon Musk reportedly consumed drugs extensively and even carried a box with a daily supply of around 20 pills while he was working for US President Donald Trump, reported The New York Times. It said the tech billionaire regularly consumed ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms during his rise to political prominence.
During his farewell on Friday, the Tesla chief slammed the publication and even dismissed reports on his alleged drug use while calling NYT 'untrustworthy'. " ... Oh wait, wait, wait! New York Times? Is it the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russia Gate? Is it the same organization?," Musk said while responding to a reporter about the report.
Let's take a closer at what the NYT report reveals about Musk's drug use-
Citing anonymous sources familiar with Musk's activities, the publication reported that his drug use intensified after donating $275 million to Trump's presidential campaign spearheading the 'Department of Government Efficiency' (DOGE).
The Tesla chief's drug consumption went much beyond occasional use, so much so that it even affected his bladder, NYT said cited people with knowledge of the matter. By the spring of last year, Musk told his associates that his ketamine use was affecting his bladder - a known side effect of long-term use of the drug, which has psychedelic properties and can cause dissociation.
Elon Musk drew widespread attention in 2018 when he smoked marijuana during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, prompting criticism from NASA. In response, the agency required written confirmation from SpaceX that it was adhering to federal drug-free workplace regulations.
According to the report, the Tesla CEO developed a serious ketamine habit, using the powerful anesthetic as often as daily - far more than the 'small amount' taken 'about once every two weeks'. "If you've used too much ketamine, you can't really get work done and I have a lot of work," Musk told journalist Don Lemon in March 2024, downplaying his consumption.
The White House, however, refused to comment on whether Elon Musk has undergone drug testing despite his access to classified information.
While SpaceX maintains a strict no-drug policy as part of its government contract obligations, insiders told NYT that Musk was frequently alerted ahead of so-called random drug tests, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.
On May 29, Musk announced that his tenure as a 'special government employee' in the Trump administration has come to an end, confirming his resignation from his role as head of DOGE.
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