Elon Musk has denied allegations of extensive drug use, specifically addressing a New York Times report claiming he used ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms heavily during the 2024 Trump campaign trail, to the point of causing bladder issues. In a post on X on May 31, 2025, Musk stated, "To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off," adding that he had tried prescription ketamine years ago for mental health but hasn’t used it since.
Musk previously admitted to using prescription ketamine for depression, claiming it helped with "negative frame of mind," but denied the frequent use alleged in the report. The Times cited anonymous sources claiming Musk’s drug use was intense, including daily ketamine consumption and traveling with a pill box containing Adderall and other substances. It’s unclear if this extended to his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) role.
During a May 30, 2025, Oval Office appearance with Trump, Musk dodged questions about the allegations, dismissing the Times’ credibility. Trump, when asked, said he was unaware of any drug use by Musk. The report also noted Musk’s erratic behavior, like a Nazi-style salute at a rally, which some linked to the alleged drug use. Musk attributed a visible black eye to playful roughhousing with his son, X.
Musk has previously addressed drug use rumors, noting in 2024 that three years of random drug testing, prompted by a 2018 Joe Rogan podcast incident, found no traces of drugs or alcohol. Critics argue that the Times’ sources are unverified, and Musk’s high-profile, photographed schedule would make such use obvious if it were true. The allegations remain unconfirmed, and Musk’s denial emphasizes his past transparency about limited, prescribed ketamine use.