'I am NOT taking drugs!' Musk denies damning report
Elon Musk on Saturday denied a report that he used ketamine and other drugs extensively last year on the 2024 campaign trail.
The New York Times reported Friday that the billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump used so much ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, that he developed bladder problems.
The newspaper said the world's richest person also took ecstasy and mushrooms and traveled with a pill box last year, adding that it was not known whether Musk also took drugs while heading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump took power in January.
In a post Saturday on X, Musk said: "To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off."
He added: "I tried 'prescription' ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven't taken it since then."
Musk first dodged a question about his drug use at a bizarre farewell appearance Friday with Trump in the Oval Office in which the Tesla and SpaceX boss sported a noticeable black eye as he formally ended his role as Trump's main cost-cutter at DOGE, which fired tens of thousands of civil servants.
News of the injury drew substantial attention as it came right after the Times report on his alleged drug use. The daily recalled erratic behavior such as Musk giving an enthusiastic Nazi-style salute last year.
Musk said he got the injury while horsing around with his young son, named X, when he told the child to hit him in the face.
"And he did. Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is..." he added, before tailing off.
Later Friday, when a reporter asked Trump if he was aware of Musk's "regular drug use," Trump responded: "I wasn't."
"I think Elon is a fantastic guy," he added.
Musk has previously admitted to taking ketamine, saying he was prescribed it to treat a "negative frame of mind" and suggesting his use of drugs benefited his work.
dw/mlm
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
What's Ahead For The President's Reconciliation Bill
The House of Representatives' budget reconciliation plan, backed by President Trump, is headed to the Senate. The bill touched on nearly every aspect of President Trump's agenda, which Senate Leader John Thune hopes to have passed by July 4, 2025. The budget bill passed through the House with a slim majority, which concerns some Americans that it may face restraint in the Senate. U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) joins the Rundown to discuss the Senate's work on President Trump's reconciliation bill and Republicans' efforts to cut taxes, reduce spending, and create more U.S. jobs. She also describes her own bipartisan bill, which aims to improve childcare affordability and help parents re-enter the workforce. Not many people can say they've climbed to the top of Mount Everest, but FOX News Correspondent Mike Tobin can. Making it to the top is extremely dangerous and requires peak physical abilities. Mike joins the podcast to discuss the accomplishment, why he decided to climb Mount Everest, and what it was like to reach the top. Plus, commentary from Chief National Initiatives Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Chuck DeVore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Newsweek
33 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Approval Rating Remains Underwater With Republican Pollster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's approval rating remains underwater, according to a poll conducted by a Republican-leaning pollster. The latest RMG Research/Napolitan News poll, conducted between May 20 and 29 among 3,000 registered voters, found 49 percent approve of the way Trump is doing his job, while 50 percent disapprove. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025 in Washington, It Matters There has been some evidence of Trump's approval rating ticking up slightly after a period of decline following the introduction of his "Liberation Day" tariffs in April. But Trump's approval rating remaining in the negative, albeit within the margin of error, with a Republican-leaning pollster could be a sign of alarm for the White House. What To Know The latest RMG Research/Napolitan News poll found Trump's approval rating has improved very slightly from a survey conducted in mid-May. The earlier survey showed Trump's approval rating had dipped into negative territory, with 48 percent approving of the job he is doing and 50 percent disapproving. Only one other RMG Research/Napolitan News poll conducted during Trump's second term has seen the president with a net negative approval rating. A survey conducted in mid-April, days after he unveiled his "Liberation Day" tariffs, sending stock markets into a tailspin and sparking recession fears, saw his approval rating at -3, with 48 percent approving of Trump's performance and 51 percent disapproving. All other surveys have seen Trump with an approval rating above water, with the highest approval rating of +18 coming in a survey conducted the week Trump returned to office in January, when 57 percent approving of the job he was doing and just 39 percent disapproving. What People Are Saying Political analyst Robert Collins, a professor at Dillard University, told Newsweek last week that Trump's approval rating is "inching up because the economy has stabilized and Trump has put a pause on his most draconian tariffs, which were unpopular. "However, if those draconian tariffs do go into effect, due to trade negotiations breaking down, and it causes prices to spike, then we can expect his approval rating to go back down. The current number is historically a little low for a president during this part of his second term, but not outside of the normal range." Democratic pollster Matt McDermott previously told Newsweek that small shifts in polls are "statistical noise," not signs of growing support. "What we're seeing is stagnation, not momentum," he said. "Trump is hoping to shift blame for a weakening economy, but it's not going to work. Voters know exactly who's responsible." What's Next Trump's approval rating will likely play a major role for the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Making Canada 51st state is a great idea, but not for reason Trump thinks
President Donald Trump keeps blathering on about making Canada the 51st state. I'm for it. With a population of about 40 million that would equal about 55 congressional seats. Guess what? The Republicans would end up in a perpetual minority in the House. And they would have a tough time ever winning the presidency again. How about single-payer health care for all of us? How about more reasonable gun laws? How about some mandated minimal annual leave? How about minimal parental leave? Or a higher minimum wage? The list could go on. So let's congratulate Trump for coming up with a brilliant idea. Sorry, Canadians, but isn't it time you take one for the planet? George Wagner, Milwaukee Letters: Cudahy Farms offers dense urban development that is environmentally friendly Opinion: Here's what readers had to say about wake-enhanced boating on Wisconsin lakes Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Adding Canada would mean GOP could never control US House | Letters
