Elon Musk has strongly denied a report published by The New York Times alleging that he regularly used a variety of drugs—including ketamine, ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms, and Adderall—during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign season while advising Donald Trump.
The New York Times article, released on Friday, cites private messages and interviews with more than a dozen individuals reportedly familiar with Musk’s behavior. According to the report, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO consumed ketamine to such a degree that it caused bladder complications. The article also described Musk traveling with a pill organizer and displaying erratic public behavior, including a Nazi-style salute during a January rally celebrating Trump’s return to the White House.
Musk responded Saturday via his platform, X (formerly Twitter), calling the story false and sensationalized. “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
Musk acknowledged having used prescription ketamine in the past for depression, which he has publicly admitted before, but emphasized that he hasn’t taken it “in years.” His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of his behavior just days after stepping down from his controversial role as director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an office established under Trump’s administration to drastically reduce federal spending.
During Musk’s tenure, DOGE was reported to have overseen the dismissal of tens of thousands of federal workers. The New York Times did not confirm whether Musk’s alleged drug use continued while leading DOGE after Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Speculation was further fueled after Musk appeared at a White House press conference on Friday with a visible black eye. When questioned, he attributed the injury to play-fighting with his son, X Æ A-12. “Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is…” Musk wrote, trailing off without finishing the sentence.
When asked about the allegations, President Trump said he was unaware of any such activity but offered support for Musk, stating, “I think Elon is a fantastic guy.”
While Musk has previously claimed that his limited ketamine use was beneficial for mental health, his latest denial aimed to distance himself from broader accusations of ongoing drug abuse. Meanwhile, numerous social media users have shared videos they claim back up the New York Times report, adding to the controversy surrounding the billionaire entrepreneur.
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