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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Elon Musk's party habits, promiscuity and ketamine use made him a dream target for Russian spies, says ex-FBI agent
A former FBI agent named Johnathan Buma said Elon Musk 's drug use made him an easy target for Russian spies , Buma told this to Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, a German TV channel, in a documentary. In an interview with ZDF Buma revealed that Musk and billionaire Peter Thiel both were targeted by Russian intelligence agents. According to Buma, Musk's lifestyle, partying, clubbing, using ketamine, and being into casual relationships, made it easy for Russian agents to study him and then get close to him, as mentioned in the interview. Buma elaborated that spies use a person's psychological profile to find ways to 'bump into' them and enter their inner circle. Buma didn't give full details on how the FBI got this info, but he claimed there was 'a vast amount of evidence' to prove what he's saying. Taking in account the 2023 report by the Wall Street Journal Buma said that Musk was in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin . In 2022, Musk helped Ukraine by giving them thousands of SpaceX Starlink internet devices, as per public records, this info was shared in the reports. But later, Musk started complaining about the cost and said it was 'unreasonable' for SpaceX to keep paying for it. Musk met Putin several times, but Musk denied this, as mentioned in the report by Wall Street Journal. Musk's biographer Walter Isaacson wrote in a 2023 book that Musk secretly stopped a Ukrainian military attack on Russia in Crimea. Musk has used ketamine for both medical and fun purposes. This has caused concerns, as per The Atlantic report. Live Events In an interview with the Atlantic, Celia Morgan, a drug researcher said people who use ketamine often can have 'memory issues' and feel detached from reality. That means Russian spies could have used this to get even closer to Musk, said Buma, he also got into trouble after the interview. He was arrested in March, his passport was taken, and he was released on bail. Buma believes this is part of the 'biggest failure' in America's efforts to stop spying, according to the ZDF report. Musk's image has suffered lately because of his support for far-right views and his work for a group called the Department of Government Efficiency . Still, he has a lot of influence in Washington, says reports. This month, Musk traveled to the Middle East with Donald Trump, meeting Qatari officials and top business leaders. All this raises big questions. We might never get clear answers, but because of Musk's drug use and wild lifestyle, Buma says he was an easy target for Russian operatives, as per the ZDF interview. FAQs Q1. Did Elon Musk really meet Putin? Musk has denied the meetings, though reports suggest otherwise. Q2. What drug is Elon Musk using? Musk is reported to use ketamine for both medical and personal reasons.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-FBI Agent: Elon Musk's Drug Habit Made Him an Easy Target for Russian Spies
Elon Musk's well-documented drug use made him an easy target for Russian secret service agents, former FBI agent Johnathan Buma told German television broadcaster ZDF during a recently aired documentary. Buma said there was evidence that both he and fellow billionaire Peter Thiel were targeted by Russian operatives. "Musk's susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, in particular ketamine, and his gravitation towards club life... would have been seen by Russian intelligence service as an entry point for an operative to be sent in after studying their psychological profile and find a way to bump into them, and quickly brought in to their inner circle," Buma told ZDF. "I'm not allowed to discuss the details of exactly how we obtained this information," he added. "But there's a vast amount of evidence to support this fact." Buma also corroborated the Wall Street Journal's reporting last year, which found that Musk was in frequent contact with Russian president Vladimir Putin. The news comes after Musk made a notable shift in 2022 after supplying Ukraine with thousands of SpaceX Starlink terminals. However, not long after, the mercurial CEO became wary of the additional costs his space firm was shouldering, arguing it was "unreasonable" for the company to keep supporting the growing data usage. He reportedly met with Putin several times thereafter, something Musk has since denied. Biographer Walter Isaacson's 2023 Musk biography also revealed that he had intentionally hamstrung a Ukrainian attack on Russia's naval fleet near the Crimean coast. Meanwhile, Musk's ample medicinal and recreational use of ketamine has drawn plenty of attention. Earlier this year, The Atlantic reported that the drug could easily allow anybody to feel like they're in charge of the whole world. Psychopharmacology researcher Celia Morgan told the magazine at the time that those who frequently use ketamine can have "profound" short- and long-term memory issues and were "distinctly dissociated in their day-to-day existence." In other words, it could provide Russian agents with a perfect opportunity to get closer to Musk, as Buma suggests. It's a particularly sensitive subject. Buma was arrested shortly after his interview with ZDF in March. His passport was confiscated and was temporarily released on bail. To Buma, it's the "greatest failing" of the United States' counterespionage efforts. Despite his popularity dropping off a cliff due to his embrace of far-right extremist ideals and his work for the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, Musk maintains plenty of influence in Washington, DC. Earlier this month, he traveled to the Middle East alongside president Donald Trump, meeting Qatari officials and dozens of CEOs. The former FBI agent's comments leave plenty of questions unanswered. Does Putin's spy agency have dirt on the mercurial CEO? Could they be blackmailing him? Put simply, could Musk really be compromised? Considering the stakes, it's unlikely we'll ever get any clear-cut answers. But given his penchant for partying and using mind-altering drugs, he's certainly not the most difficult target to get close to for foreign operatives. More on Musk: Elon Musk's AI Just Went There
Mint
18-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Elon Musk's love for women, drugs and rave parties made him an easy Russian target: Ex-FBI agent
Elon Musk's affinity towards promiscuous women and drugs made him an easy Russian target, a former FBI agent recently revealed, admitting that the Tesla CEO have been a prime target for the country since the war in Ukraine started. Ex-Counterintelligence Special Agent Jonathan Buma further added that along with Musk, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel was another target for Russians. As per intelligence gathered, Buma said these men were later to be used as blackmail. Speaking with German Television Broadcaster ZDF for a documentary, Buma said Elon Musk was susceptible to promiscuous women, sex and drugs. The billionaire is apparently fond of the desert rave scene Burning Man, adult entertainment and gambling, which were used by Russian agents as a 'possible entry point' to reach him. 'Musk's susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine… were seen by Russian intelligence as an opportunity for an agent to exploit,' Buma said in the documentary. However, Buma did not reveal the source of his information that Musk and Putin were targets of the agents. 'I'm not allowed to discuss the details of exactly how we obtained this information. But there's a vast amount of evidence to support this fact,' he said. When asked if there really is some evidence to support his statement, Buma said, 'There is absolutely evidence for it.' Buma, who worked as a special FBI agency for 16 years, revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the contact with Thiel and Musk. Without his involvement or approval, the agents would have no reason to get involved in the blackmail plot, he noted. Elon Musk has had a complicated relationship with Ukraine. When the war started in 2022, he came out in support of Kyiv. However, he later threatened to revoke the access of the Starlink satellite internet service, which he had offered initially free of charge to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Musk and Putin have been in contact since at least 2022, when the conflict with Ukraine had started. Buma did not say how he found out about the information, stressing that it would be a 'criminal offense'. The ex-FBI agent was arrested in March and charged by federal prosecutors with one count of 'Disclosure of Confidential Information'. Buma was accused of leaking classified information to a publishing agency. He was later released on a $100,000 bail.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Is Vladimir Putin blackmailing Elon Musk over Ukraine? Ex-FBI agent alleges Russian plot to target world's richest man
Operation approved by Putin, Buma claims ADVERTISEMENT Surveillance also extended to Peter Thiel ADVERTISEMENT Musk's shifting role in Ukraine conflict ADVERTISEMENT A former FBI counterintelligence officer has claimed that Russian spies attempted to blackmail Elon Musk, using his personal lifestyle choices as leverage. Jonathan Buma, who served 16 years in the FBI, made the accusation in a recent documentary aired by German broadcaster to Buma, Russian intelligence identified Musk's known interests in sex, drugs—specifically ketamine—and a lavish party scene as potential vulnerabilities. He said this made the billionaire tech mogul, now a close adviser to Donald Trump, an attractive target for coercion.'Musk's susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine were seen by Russian intelligence as an opportunity for an agent to exploit,' Buma said in the alleged that the aim was to gather compromising information that could be used to influence or control Musk, a figure whose technological influence spans defence, space, and also stated that the espionage effort had backing from the very top of Russia's leadership.'The agents would not have gotten involved in the blackmail plot had the Russian president not known about the action and approved it,' Buma said, referring to Vladimir Buma did not disclose the source of this information. His remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny over Musk's international ties, particularly amid ongoing tensions between the West and Russia following the Ukraine revelations follow earlier reports by The Wall Street Journal suggesting that Musk and Putin had been in contact since 2022, the same year Russia invaded documentary revealed that PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel was also a target of Russian surveillance. Buma claimed that both Musk and Thiel were placed under watch by Russian intelligence shortly after the Ukraine conflict began, as part of a broader effort to influence key American prominence in technology and proximity to political power made them high-value targets. In Musk's case, his attendance at events like Burning Man, alongside his interest in adult entertainment and gambling, allegedly contributed to Russian Musk's relationship with Ukraine has taken several turns. He initially earned praise for providing free Starlink internet access to Ukrainian forces. But later, he threatened to withdraw the service, leading to 2024, Musk joined Donald Trump in publicly criticising Ukraine's leadership, further complicating his stance. These developments sparked speculation about his alignment, especially as his tech platforms and businesses gained influence over global communication currently heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative in federal agencies, and accompanied Trump on a diplomatic tour to the Middle East last week. The two arrived in a Cybertruck-led motorcade and attended a formal dinner hosted by the Emir of Qatar and other Gulf the allegations are explosive, Buma himself is facing serious legal challenges. He was arrested in March for leaking classified information to a publishing house and has been indicted on one count of "Disclosure of Confidential Information." He is currently out on a $100,000 the charges, Buma has doubled down on his assertions, claiming that Russia's interest in figures like Musk goes beyond diplomacy or business—it is these claims circulate, they highlight growing fears about how global powers could be using covert tactics to sway high-profile individuals in American political and technological spheres. Whether they hold up under legal or investigative scrutiny remains to be seen.
NDTV
18-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Vladimir Putin's Spy Agency Used Sex, Drugs, To Exploit Elon Musk: Ex-FBI Agent
Russia's top military intelligence agency targeted Elon Musk by exploiting the billionaire's alleged weaknesses for sex, drugs, and a lavish lifestyle, a former FBI agent has claimed. The operation was reportedly greenlit by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself. "They would not have done so if Putin had not personally known about the action and approved it," Jonathan Buma, who served 16 years as a counterintelligence officer, told German broadcaster ZDF. He claimed Russian intelligence, GRU, actively ran special operations to influence top Silicon Valley figures like Musk and venture capitalist Peter Thiel. The tactics included gathering compromising material that could be used for blackmail. "Musk's susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine, were seen by Russian intelligence as an opportunity for an agent to exploit," Buma said in the documentary. "There's a vast amount of evidence to support this fact," he said. "There is absolutely evidence for it." Buma also claimed that Musk's interests in desert rave scenes like Burning Man, adult entertainment, and gambling were all seen by Russian security agencies as potential points of access to the billionaire. According to Buma, it wasn't just the GRU acting alone. He alleged that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself was behind the outreach to Musk and Thiel. "The envoys sent to contact both offered direct contact with Putin," Buma said. Buma further said he knows that direct contact occurred between Musk and Putin "probably several times." A Wall Street Journal report from 2024 also confirmed secret conversations between the two. According to the report, Musk has allegedly been in direct contact with Putin since at least 2022. The GRU, known for its aggressive and clandestine global operations, is one of the most powerful arms of Russia's intelligence system. It handles foreign military operations and espionage, often using unconventional means to reach strategic objectives. Buma, who made the claims in the ZDF documentary, was arrested in March and charged with one count of "Disclosure of Confidential Information" for leaking classified material to a publishing company. He is currently out on $100,000 bail. Elon Musk's stance on Ukraine has evolved over time. In 2022, he offered his Starlink satellite service free to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. But he later threatened to pull back the support, and by 2024 had become increasingly critical of Kyiv as he aligned himself with US President Donald Trump. Now he is an adviser to the President.
