Latest news with #Nazi-style
Gizmodo
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
American Interest in EVs Plummets to Lowest Level Since 2019
Just 16% of U.S. adults report they're 'likely' or 'very likely' to purchase an electric vehicle as their next car, according to a new survey by AAA. That's the lowest level since 2019, when 25% of American adults thought it was likely or very likely that an EV would be their next purchase. And it spells bad news for America's transition away from the internal combustion engine. The percentage of Americans who said they'd be unlikely or very unlikely to purchase an EV for their next car is 63%, up considerably from 2022 when it was 51%. People who say it's neither likely or unlikely they'll buy an EV make up 21% of sample, slightly down from 24% in both 2022 and 2023. The most common reason people cite for interest in EVs is to save money on gas, with 74% of Americans in the survey bringing up that topic. The second most common was 'concern for the environment,' which was mentioned by 59%. Only 22% said their interest in EVs was driven by cutting edge technology, and 10% said they expect their state to ban gas-powered vehicles. What's really behind the decline in interest in EVs? AAA didn't provide a look at the crosstabs to give a sense of any potential political leanings of the respondents, but it's safe to say that one big element probably involves America's most famous electric car enthusiast: far-right Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Tesla reported a 13% drop in vehicles sales and 71% drop in profits last quarter, largely driven by the polarizing actions of the company's leader. Musk joined President Donald Trump's government as the head of DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, and took a chainsaw to the federal government. Musk even brought a literal chainsaw on stage in a now-infamous moment in February from CPAC with the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, a fellow far-right political figure who's imposed extreme austerity on his country. But arguably the biggest hit to Musk's public image was his two Nazi-style salutes at a rally on Jan. 20, the day Trump was inaugurated for a second time. The billionaire later denied he was giving Nazi salutes but the general public seemed unconvinced by his explanations. A decade ago, Musk's image with upper-middle-class liberals was generally positive, a good thing for Tesla as the largest EV manufacturer in the country. But Musk's most important target market has now soured on the billionaire and it seems like the entire EV industry could be taking a hit. For the survey, AAA conducted 1,128 interviews among U.S. adults. The margin of error was +/- 4%. AAA notes that as interest wanes in electric vehicles, consumers still may find interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. And it will certainly be interesting to see whether EV enthusiasm will rebound in the coming years. The question, it would seem, is whether other car companies can step up to the plate and deliver electric vehicles that Americans are excited about. Or, in another scenario, is whether Musk can pretend like he's not a far-right extremist and hope that his most valuable customers start buying his cars again.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
‘I am NOT taking drugs!'
AFP | Washington 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 s a i d : ' To b e clear, I am NOT taking drugs! T h e N e w York Times w a s l y i n g 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 in January of this year at a rally celebrating Trump's inauguration. 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.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Elon Musk denies taking drugs after White House appearance with black eye
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 a** 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.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
"I don't do drugs": Musk denies drug use allegations after NYT report
Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on next to U.S. President Donald Trump talking to the media, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 11, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article Elon Musk has strongly denied a report published by The New York Times alleging he regularly used a range of drugs — including ketamine, ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, and Adderall — during the 2024 US presidential campaign season while advising Donald Trump. The New York Times report, published Friday, cited private messages and interviews with over a dozen individuals familiar with Musk's behavior. According to the outlet, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO consumed ketamine to such an extent that it led to reported bladder complications. The article also described Musk traveling with a pill organiser and exhibiting erratic public behavior, including a Nazi-style salute during a January rally celebrating Trump's return to the White House. Musk responded on Saturday via his platform, X (formerly Twitter), calling the story false and sensationalised. 'To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off,' Musk wrote. 😂💯 Also, to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off. 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. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2025 He acknowledged previously using prescription ketamine for depression, which he has publicly disclosed before, but insisted he hasn't taken it 'in years.' The renewed attention on Musk's conduct comes days after he stepped down from his controversial role as director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an entity created under Trump's administration to slash federal spending. Under Musk's tenure, DOGE reportedly oversaw the dismissal of tens of thousands of federal workers. The New York Times did not confirm whether Musk's alleged substance use continued while he led DOGE after Trump's inauguration in January 2025. Adding fuel to the speculation, Musk appeared at a White House press conference Friday sporting a visible black eye. When questioned, he attributed the injury to play-fighting with his young son, X Æ A-12. 'Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is…' Musk wrote cryptically, without finishing the sentence. When asked about Musk's alleged drug use, President Trump said he was unaware of any such activity but reiterated his support for Musk, stating, 'I think Elon is a fantastic guy.' Musk has previously claimed that his limited use of ketamine was beneficial for mental health, but his denial on Saturday aimed to distance himself from the broader accusations of ongoing drug abuse. Many social media users posted videos they claimed supported the allegations made in a New York Times report involving self-proclaimed memelord Elon Musk.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Elon Musk denies drug use allegations: 'I am not taking drugs!'
WASHINGTON, June 1: Elon Musk on Saturday denied a report published by The New York Times alleging that he used ketamine and other drugs extensively during the 2024 presidential campaign season. The Times reported Friday that Musk, who served as a key adviser to President Donald Trump, allegedly consumed large amounts of ketamine — an anesthetic sometimes prescribed for depression — leading to bladder issues. The report also claimed that Musk used ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms, and often carried a pill box while traveling. The publication added that it was unclear whether Musk continued to use such substances after assuming his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) following Trump's inauguration in January. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Musk pushed back strongly against the claims, writing: 'To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ... off.' Musk acknowledged that he had used prescription ketamine in the past, stating, 'I tried 'prescription' ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this [is] not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven't taken it since then." The Tesla and SpaceX CEO's denial came a day after his final appearance as director of DOGE at the White House. During the event, he was seen with a noticeable black eye, which drew attention in light of the timing of the drug allegations. Musk explained the injury occurred while playing with his young son, X, telling the child to punch him as a joke. 'And he did. Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is...' Musk said, before trailing off. The Times report also cited past erratic behavior, including an incident at a Trump inauguration rally in January where Musk was described as delivering an enthusiastic Nazi-style salute. When asked by a reporter on Friday whether he was aware of Musk's alleged drug use, President Trump responded, 'I wasn't,' adding, 'I think Elon is a fantastic guy.' Musk has previously disclosed that he was prescribed ketamine to treat what he described as a 'negative frame of mind,' and has suggested in the past that such treatments may have had a positive impact on his productivity.
