Latest news with #drugs
CBS News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Elon Musk lashes out in Oval Office when asked about report on his ketamine use
Trump says Musk is "not really leaving" as DOGE savings lag behind projections During an Oval Office send-off Friday marking the end of his formal role with the Trump administration, Elon Musk lashed out when asked about a New York Times report that the billionaire took drugs like ketamine and ecstasy during the 2024 campaign. "The New York Times. Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate?" Musk asked while standing alongside President Trump, cutting off a question from Fox News reporter Peter Doocy about the Times. "Let's move on." Musk's remarks came on the same day that the Times reported he used ketamine — which can be used both recreationally and medically — as often as once a day in 2024. Musk has told people he took ketamine so frequently that it affected his bladder, and he has also used ecstasy and magic mushrooms at times, the paper said, citing unnamed sources. CBS News has reached out to Musk and his spokesperson for comment. Musk has said publicly he has a prescription for ketamine. But he told journalist Don Lemon last year he uses it infrequently, taking a "small amount once every other week" to help him get out of a "depressive mindstate." He told Lemon he doesn't feel he's abused the drug, saying, "if you use too much ketamine, you can't really get work done…and I have a lot of work." Musk also told Lemon that at times, weeks will go by without him using ketamine. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that some Musk associates worry his reported drug use could harm his businesses, which include Tesla, SpaceX, social network X and several other firms. The billionaire has brushed off any concerns about the impact on his companies, telling Lemon, "what matters is execution." Musk has said he has a top-secret security clearance, which typically requires drug testing. A hallucinogenic drug, ketamine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an anesthetic. The FDA says it has not authorized ketamine to treat psychiatric disorders, though one of the molecules that makes up ketamine can be administered under medical supervision to treat depression. It is also sometimes distributed illegally. Ketamine can be "very dangerous" when used recreationally, Dr. Angelique Campen, an emergency room doctor in California, has previously told CBS News Los Angeles. The drug drew attention after it was partly blamed for the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry. The Oval Office back-and-forth came as Musk wrapped up his stint as a "special government employee" in the Trump administration, where he oversaw the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Musk and his team have swept through the government in recent months, slashing federal contracts and cutting staff — drawing applause from Trump allies and condemnation from opponents. Musk had predicted he could cut $1 trillion from the federal budget, but the administration says DOGE has saved about $170 billion so far — though Musk predicted Friday the $1 trillion goal is still possible "over time." Some of the cuts tallied by DOGE have contained errors, and one analysis estimates DOGE may end up costing the government hundreds of billions due to lost productivity and changes to federal workers' status. In recent days, Musk has criticized the Trump administration. He told CBS News earlier this week he has some "differences of opinion" with the administration, and feels "a little stuck in a bind" when he disagrees. He also said he was "disappointed" by the price tag of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping Trump-backed bill passed by House Republicans last week. But in Friday's Oval Office event, Mr. Trump was laudatory of Musk, saying his role "has been without comparison in modern history." Musk said he expects to keep visiting the White House and will serve as a "friend and adviser" to the president. and contributed to this report.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
British Airways steward found dancing naked in business class after ‘drugs binge' before flight from US to London
A BRITISH Airways crew member was found dancing naked in a business class toilet at 30,000ft. The steward is suspected of using drugs before the incident, which happened as he was supposed to be serving an in-flight meal. 2 Colleagues searched the aircraft when he went missing as they handed out food and drinks on the busy jet to London's Heathrow from the US. The in-flight crew boss was then stunned to find him completely naked and jigging up and down in the Club World cabin loo. He was bundled into a spare pair of pyjamas reserved for First Class passengers on the flight from San Francisco. The steward was then escorted to the First Class cabin, where he was buckled into a luxury seat for the remainder of the ten-and-a-half hour journey. BA bosses alerted cops, who met the double-decker Airbus A380 -800 on landing at 11am last Sunday to arrest him. He also received medical attention and was taken from the plane — which had around 470 passengers and crew on board — in a wheelchair. Angry crew members had to work the entire flight without breaks to cover for him. The steward was suspended from duty while investigations continue. One worker said: 'We think the guy popped pills when he was meant to be working. It is an extraordinary thing to do. "The plane was cruising at 37,000ft over the Atlantic, but this bloke seemed to be higher than anyone else. The moment travellers are left stunned as woman tries to board a plane with 'no trousers on' 'Rather than asking passengers 'chicken or beef', he was stripping off and dancing in the toilet. It was a long time before he was located and he was completely out of it. 'Not only is it really dangerous, it is a crazy way to end your BA career. This job can do ridiculous things to people, but staging a one-man disco in a Club World toilet is a new one on me.' British Airways said it is a police matter. Scotland Yard was approached for comment.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Elon Musk sports BLACK EYE at final White House briefing with Trump amid drug use bombshell
Elon Musk appeared to sport a mysterious black eye at his Oval Office farewell with President Trump. The world's richest man did not acknowledge the injury over his right eye at the hearing. It comes after an explosive New York Times report that alleged Musk was using a cocktail of drugs on the campaign trail including ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Royal Navy seizes $40m worth of drugs in Arabian Sea bust
LONDON: A Royal Navy frigate operating in the Arabian Sea seized $40 million worth of drugs in a major operation, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday. It came after the HMS Lancaster pursued a drug-trafficking boat for more than a day when British drones launched from the warship spotted illegal activity. The ship's crew deployed a Wildcat helicopter to carry out the interception, which saw a boarding team from 42 Commando seize 80 packages of drugs. Stopping illicit activity in its tracks! 1000kg Heroin 660kg Hashish 6kg Amphetamine Safe from the streets, thanks to our team Read more: — HMS Lancaster (@HMSLANCASTER) May 30, 2025 A Royal Navy spokesman said the packages contained 1,000 kg of heroin, 660 kg of hashish and 6 kg of amphetamine. 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task force spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity,' he added. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones — mini-helicopters that conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room — have played a vital part in the success.' In March, the Royal Navy used its Peregrine drones for the first time in a drugs bust, tracking smugglers in the Indian Ocean. More than 3 tonnes of heroin, hashish and amphetamine were seized. Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Wiltshire PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis as Class A
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence."County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve."He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities".Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.
