A New York Times report published May 30, 2025, alleged that Elon Musk’s drug use increased during the 2024 presidential campaign. The claims, relayed in contemporaneous coverage from sources familiar with Musk’s activities, have not been independently established by that coverage. It also remained unclear whether Musk was under the influence while serving in government.
What did the New York Times report?
Coverage of the May 30, 2025, Times report described allegations that Musk used ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms during the 2024 campaign. The Guardian said sources cited by the Times also described a medication box containing about 20 pills, including Adderall. These are claims attributed to sources, not verified findings. TechCrunch’s account and The Guardian’s account summarize the allegations.
The Guardian also reported that Musk allegedly told people his ketamine use was affecting his bladder. That is a reported account, not an independently established medical finding.
What did Musk say about the report?
Asked about the story in the Oval Office on May 30, 2025, Musk criticized The New York Times, asking, “Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on Russiagate?” He then said, “Let’s move on.” TIME reported the exchange; it was criticism of the outlet, not a point-by-point response to the allegations. TIME’s account
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What had Musk previously said about ketamine?
In a 2024 interview with Don Lemon, Musk said he took “a small amount” of prescribed ketamine to treat negative moods about once every two weeks. He also said, “If you’ve used too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done, and I have a lot of work.” This earlier statement is relevant context, but it does not confirm the later report’s claims about the campaign period. TIME reported the interview remarks.
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The accessible coverage does not establish whether Musk was under the influence while serving in government. Nor does it establish that alleged substance use affected his conduct or political decisions. Those conclusions should not be inferred from the allegations alone. TIME noted the uncertainty about impairment.
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In January 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported a statement from Musk’s attorney Alex Spiro that Musk was “regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test.” That statement predates the campaign period covered by the 2025 report; it does not resolve its allegations. The Wall Street Journal report.
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