Latest news with #ketamine
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Musk Blows Up Online as ‘Ketamine' Dinner Clip Resurfaces
Elon Musk issued a curt rebuke of ketamine abuse allegations after a viral clip of his erratic behavior at a dinner recirculated online. The clip—taken in March during a visit to President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey—shows Musk balancing spoons at a dinner table while one of his baby mamas, Shivon Zilis, watches in silent concern. At the time, X user and 'retired army medic' Molly Ploofkins tweeted the clip with the caption, 'Musk playing with his silverware while tripping on ketamine at Bedminster.' Amid an explosive New York Times report accusing Musk of using drugs as his Department of Government Efficiency bulldozed its way across the federal government, computer scientist and writer Paul Graham attempted to normalize the clip with a tweet insisting that he does the same with his silverware. Responding to the original clip, Graham tweeted, 'You don't need ketamine to make these. I always make them. In our family we call them 'Robert towers,' after Robert Morris, who also makes them.' The remark elicited a visceral response from Musk: 'I'm not on ketamine ffs,' he wrote. Graham responded under his comment, 'That's what I'm saying. Making cutlery towers isn't evidence that someone's on drugs. You could take an identical video of me at a dinner.' As Trump bid adieu to Musk in a Friday press conference—in which the president insisted 'Elon is not really leaving'—the Tesla CEO shut down questions about the Times report. 'Is The New York Times the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate—is it the same organization?' Musk said. 'I think the judge just ruling against The New York Times for their lies about the Russiagate hoax and that they might have to give back that Pulitzer Prize. That New York Times? Let's move on!' Yet Musk's fierce denials contradict what he has publicly said and tweeted about using ketamine to counter his 'brain chemistry.' In a tweet posted Aug. 4, 2023, Musk responded to Nigerian rapper Zuby's concerns about antidepressants with his own take. 'I have serious concerns about SSRIs, as they tend to zombify people,' he wrote. 'Occasional use of Ketamine is a much better option, in my opinion. I have a prescription for when my brain chemistry sometimes goes super negative.' 'SSRIs' refers to 'selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,' the class of antidepressants that includes Prozac and Zoloft. Musk echoed such sentiments again a year later in an interview with journalist Don Lemon, admitting to the former CNN host that he takes a 'small amount' of ketamine to treat depression. 'There are times when I have a sort of ... negative chemical state in my brain,' he explained. 'Ketamine is helpful for getting one out of a negative frame of mind.'
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Elon Musk lashes out in Oval Office when asked about report on 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 alleging he was a frequent user of the drug ketamine 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. On Saturday, Musk posted on X that he is "NOT taking drugs," writing that he "tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago" but has not "taken it since then," and saying the Times had lied. 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 parts of Mr. Trump's agenda. 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.
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
'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 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." "I think Elon is a fantastic guy," he added.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
‘I am not taking drugs!' Elon Musk denies media 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 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.' '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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elon Musk denies taking ketamine in X reply to bizarre spoon balancing video
Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday he is not taking ketamine, an anesthetic drug, after suspicious reports from news outlets and a bizarre video of Musk playing with a spoon at dinner resurfaced online. The video, filmed in March, appears to show the 53-year-old tech mogul balancing spoons at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. "Watch the video—even the Secret Service looks embarrassed," the account wrote in the post. "I'm not on ketamine ffs," Musk replied. Trump Smacks Down Nbc Reporter's Suggestion Of A Rubio-musk Clash, Calls Him A 'Troublemaker' The public response comes days after a New York Times report claimed Musk "juggled drugs and family drama" while on the campaign trail. Read On The Fox News App NYT reporters alleged Musk overused ketamine, leading to bladder issues. The report also cited erratic behavior, which supporters have attributed to his Asperger's diagnosis. Musk Opens Up About Dinner Party That Soured When Trump's Name Was Invoked: 'Like Methamphetamine And Rabies' In a White House news conference on Friday, Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked Musk in the Oval Office about the scathing report. Before Doocy could finish asking his question, Musk sarcastically shot back, "Oh, wait, wait, wait. Is the New York Times… is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate? Is it the same organization?" Elon Musk Opens Up About His Experience With 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' During 'Hannity' Exclusive Doocy replied, "I've got to check my Pulitzer counter." Musk interjected, "it is," and President Donald Trump, sitting beside Musk, agreed. "I think the judge has ruled against New York Times for their lies about the Russiagate hoax, and that they might have to give back that Pulitzer Prize," Musk countered. "That New York Times? Let's move on." Musk could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for article source: Elon Musk denies taking ketamine in X reply to bizarre spoon balancing video
