'The New York Times was lying their a** off,' Musk fires back after claims he used ketamine
Billionaire Elon Musk has denied allegations of heavy drug use during the 2024 election cycle, following a New York Times report that raised new questions about his behavior while serving as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.
Tech mogul Musk on Tuesday posted a drug test report on X showing negative results for substances including ketamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines.
The move followed a detailed May 31 story citing unnamed sources claiming Musk used ketamine extensively and frequently carried a pill container during campaign events and White House meetings.
The report also mentioned possible use of ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
On X, Musk wrote: “To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their a** off.” He acknowledged past ketamine use for what he described as “dark mental holes,” but added: “I haven't taken it since then.”
- Musk in the hot seat
Musk's denial came on the heels of a high-profile online dispute with Trump, complete with Musk calling for Trump's impeachment and alleging he appears in the file on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Days later Musk said some of his online barbs had gone too far, but it is unclear if their alliance – during which Musk was Trump's top campaign donor and led a controversial effort to cut government spending – will ultimately survive.
Asked about the allegations on the day Musk left government service, before their feud, Trump appeared unfazed. “I wasn't aware,” he told reporters. “I think Elon is a fantastic guy.”
Musk's relationship with substances has drawn scrutiny for years, often surfacing alongside questions about his mental state and erratic online presence.
The Times report marked the most detailed account yet, suggesting that his drug use may have influenced key decisions within the administration.
