Musk dismisses NYT drugs claim
Elon Musk has denied allegations of drug abuse following a New York Times report detailing his purported heavy use of controlled substances during Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
On Friday, the NYT released an article alleging that the mogul was using the substances 'far more intensely than previously known.'
In a post on X on Saturday, Musk brushed off the allegations, writing: 'Also, to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off.'
He added that he had 'tried prescription ketamine a few years ago' and had publicly disclosed this fact. 'This [is] not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven't taken it since then,' Musk stressed.
The Times had alleged that Musk was taking so much ketamine that it was affecting his bladder, a known effect of chronic use. The article also claimed, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Musk took ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms and traveled with a daily medication box containing about 20 pills including the stimulant Adderall.
The NYT stated that it is unclear whether Musk was taking drugs when he joined the Trump administration as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was tasked with slashing the federal bureaucracy. However, it mentioned that during his tenure as a public servant, the businessman 'exhibited erratic behavior,' insulted cabinet members, and at one point made a controversial gesture that many interpreted as a Nazi-style salute.
On Thursday, Musk announced that he would no longer serve as a government employee. He thanked Trump 'for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending' while stating that DOGE would continue its operations.
While Trump noted that Musk 'is really not leaving' and was 'going to be back and forth,' the announcement came amid multiple reports of a rift between the mogul and administration officials.
In March, the NYT reported that Musk had clashed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over firings in his department and with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over air traffic control regulations.
Musk also recently voiced disappointment over Trump's spending bill, which he said would increase the deficit and undermine DOGE's mission.
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