‘He takes drugs all the time…': Donald Trump admits leaking drug claims about Elon Musk to NYT
and billionaire entrepreneur
marks a major shift in the dynamics of American political influence. Once considered potential allies—Trump as the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election and Musk as a powerful business magnate with the resources to significantly impact campaign financing—their relationship has fractured in a highly publicised and consequential manner.
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Recent revelations, as per The Daily Beast, have added to the fallout: according to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, Trump himself admitted to leaking damaging information about Musk's alleged drug use to The New York Times.
This development follows a wave of mutual criticism and political disagreement between the two figures. Musk has publicly condemned Republican fiscal policy decisions, particularly the recent spending bill, while Trump has taken jabs at Musk on Truth Social.
What was once viewed as a strategic alliance between two influential voices on the American right has devolved into a bitter conflict filled with leaks, accusations, and political threats. The episode not only reveals deep personal tensions but also exposes broader implications for campaign finance, political realignment, and public discourse heading into the 2024 US elections.
Trump Brags About Insane Plot to Screw Musk: Wolff | The Daily Beast Podcast
Trump claimed he leaked Musk's drug story, says Michael Wolff
Trump's reported role in leaking sensitive information about Musk's alleged drug use was revealed by journalist and biographer Michael Wolff, who has written extensively about Trump's inner circle.
In interviews with multiple media outlets, Wolff stated that Trump had openly discussed Musk's drug habits with several individuals, making no effort to conceal his intentions.
'Trump speaks to them, and then they speak to other people. Whoever he calls, he says the same thing to everybody,' Wolff explained. 'So you know exactly what is on his mind.'
According to Wolff, in one of these recurring conversations, Trump explicitly claimed responsibility for tipping off The New York Times:
'Actually, we dropped a dime to The New York Times… on Elon's drug taking.'
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This statement, if accurate, confirms Trump as the primary source behind The New York Times' May 2024 exposé that accused Musk of using multiple recreational and prescription drugs.
The New York Times report: What was alleged?
On May 18, 2024, The New York Times published a detailed investigative report into Musk's alleged drug use. Citing anonymous sources and internal documents, the article claimed that Musk had used ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and psychedelic mushrooms, and regularly took Adderall.
It also stated that Musk's ketamine use had resulted in bladder-related health complications.
Additional claims included:
Musk reportedly carried a daily 'medication box' that included Adderall, a stimulant often used to treat ADHD.
Close associates and employees expressed concern about the potential impact of his drug use on corporate decision-making, especially at companies like Tesla and SpaceX.
The report triggered widespread media attention and speculation, especially given Musk's role in leading multiple high-stakes technology companies and his increasing influence in political and cultural arenas.
Musk's response: Clean drug test and public denial
Musk quickly responded to the allegations with a firm denial. Two weeks after The New York Times article went live, he posted the results of a clean drug test on X (formerly Twitter), seeking to refute the claims.
The test reportedly showed no traces of illicit substances.
He has consistently denied any improper drug use and has not addressed Trump's alleged involvement directly. Musk's focus has remained on his business ventures and his political commentary, particularly related to fiscal responsibility and government overreach.
Breakdown in Musk-Trump relationship: From alliance to conflict
The relationship between Trump and Musk has deteriorated rapidly in the months surrounding this controversy.
The two once maintained a relatively cooperative rapport, with Musk even attending White House events during Trump's presidency and being viewed as a potential high-value donor for the 2024 campaign.
However, tensions began to rise after Musk's growing criticism of Republican fiscal policies, particularly a government spending bill passed with bipartisan support. Musk labelled the bill 'pork-filled' and accused lawmakers of adding trillions to the national deficit.
This criticism appeared to provoke Trump, who has since taken increasingly hostile stances toward Musk. The drug use leak, if indeed initiated by Trump, may have been an act of retaliation.
Trump's public jabs at Musk: Social media attacks
In the wake of Musk's criticism, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to publicly insult the billionaire. Notably, Trump referenced Musk's South African origins in a veiled dig, writing:
'He's not even from here.'
Such comments marked a shift from Trump's earlier tone, when he occasionally praised Musk's entrepreneurial achievements. The personal nature of the attacks signalled the complete breakdown of their relationship.
Elon Musk's 'America Party' threat
In response to the spending bill and what he sees as bipartisan fiscal irresponsibility, Musk has hinted at launching a third political party, tentatively called The America Party. While still in its conceptual stages, Musk has made it clear that he's willing to spend his fortune to support candidates who prioritise spending reform and challenge incumbents who fail to deliver on economic promises.
He has also suggested funding primary challengers against lawmakers who vote in favour of deficit-increasing policies, regardless of party affiliation. This move, if realised, could significantly disrupt traditional party structures and voter alignment, especially among fiscal conservatives and younger libertarian-leaning voters.
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