A New York Times investigation has revealed that Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and former close adviser to President Donald Trump, frequently consumed drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms, even while holding a prominent political advisory role.
The report, based on accounts from anonymous sources familiar with Musk’s behavior, states that he often travelled with a stash of nearly 20 pills daily. His ketamine usage reportedly became so intense that it started affecting his bladder health, a known side effect of frequent use.
Musk had previously claimed his intake was minimal, telling journalist Don Lemon in March 2024, “If you’ve used too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done, and I have a lot of work.” However, sources told NYT that he used the drug daily, far more than the occasional use he admitted publicly.
Musk’s Role and Loophole in Drug Policies
After donating $275 million to Trump’s campaign, Musk was appointed head of the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” nicknamed “Doge.” In this special role, Musk wasn’t bound by traditional federal employment rules. While drugs like ecstasy are banned for all federal workers as Schedule I substances, Musk was exempt due to his “special government employee” status, as reported by The Guardian.
Though ketamine is a Schedule III drug that can be prescribed legally, recreational use, especially in combination with other drugs, may violate federal workplace conduct standards.
Unusual Behavior, White House Access, and Security Concerns
Musk’s erratic behavior, including insulting officials and even making a Nazi-style salute at a rally, eventually led to his resignation from the role on Wednesday.
It remains unclear whether Musk was under the influence during sensitive White House meetings with foreign leaders or while having a say in federal budget matters. The White House declined to comment on whether Musk underwent drug testing, despite his access to classified information.
Drug Policy at SpaceX Allegedly Undermined
Despite SpaceX’s strict drug-free policy due to its extensive government contracts, sources allege that Musk was given advance notice of random drug tests, undermining the integrity of enforcement.
