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.
