Elon Musk Denies Drug Use Allegations in Response to New York Times Report
On May 31, 2025, Elon Musk took to X to vehemently deny a report published by The New York Times claiming he extensively used ketamine and other drugs. The billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI labeled the report as false, stating, “To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off.”
Musk clarified that he had previously tried prescription ketamine a few years ago to address mental health concerns, a fact he had openly shared on X at the time. However, he emphasized that he has not used the substance since. He further supported his denial by referencing three years of random drug testing, which he underwent following a widely publicized incident in 2018 where he took a single puff of marijuana during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. According to Musk, these tests consistently showed no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system.
The New York Times report, which Musk refuted, allegedly detailed concerns about his behavior and leadership, tying it to purported drug use. While the specifics of the report remain unverified in this context, Musk’s response was direct and unapologetic, accusing the outlet of fabricating claims. His statement on X garnered significant attention, with supporters rallying behind him and critics questioning the veracity of both the report and his rebuttal.
This is not the first time Musk has faced scrutiny over his personal conduct. The 2018 marijuana incident led to increased oversight from regulatory bodies like NASA, which required SpaceX to implement stricter drug testing protocols due to its government contracts. Musk’s transparency about the testing results appears to be an effort to counter ongoing speculation about his lifestyle and decision-making.
As of now, neither The New York Times nor Musk has provided further public statements on the matter. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between Musk’s public persona and media portrayals, a dynamic that continues to spark debate across platforms like X.
