Elon Musk denies ketamine use following New York Times report
Elon Musk attending a May 30 press conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
WASHINGTON – Billionaire Elon Musk said that he is not using the drug ketamine, disputing a report by the New York Times that alleged extensive use of that and other drugs.
'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,' Mr Musk posted on X, adding that the newspaper was 'lying.'
Mr Musk, who had been working as a close adviser to President Donald Trump in his efforts to cut government spending, stepped away from that role on May 30. The chief executive officer of Tesla and SpaceX said he plans to remain an adviser to Mr Trump even after stepping away from the Department of Government Efficiency role.
The New York Times said on May 30 that Mr Musk had used drugs more heavily than previously known during Mr Trump's presidential campaign, and that he took ketamine often, and also used Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms on occasion.
Mr Trump, asked on the night of May 30 by a reporter if he was aware of Mr Musk's regular drug use, said: 'No I wasn't. I think he's fantastic.' BLOOMBERG
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