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Tech billionaire Elon Musk sharply denied allegations of frequent ketamine use on Friday, pushing back against a New York Times report as he stood beside President Donald Trump during an Oval Office event marking the conclusion of his formal role in the administration.
Musk, who recently wrapped up his tenure leading the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiative — the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — grew visibly irritated when pressed by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about the Times’ report.
“The New York Times. Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate?” Musk shot back, cutting off the question. “Let’s move on.”
Denials and Disputes
The Times report, published earlier Friday, cited unnamed sources who alleged Musk used ketamine daily in 2024 and had previously experimented with ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. It also claimed Musk acknowledged to associates that the drug had affected his bladder.
Hours later, Musk posted on his social platform X:
“I am NOT taking drugs. I tried prescription ketamine a few years ago. Haven’t taken it since. The Times lied — again.”
Musk has previously confirmed limited, supervised ketamine use. In a 2024 interview with Don Lemon, he said he used a “small amount once every other week” to combat depression, adding:
“If you use too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done… and I have a lot of work.”
Concerns and Clearance
Despite Musk’s denials, questions linger about the implications for his many high-profile business ventures, which include Tesla, SpaceX, X, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. A Wall Street Journal investigation last year reported concerns among some Musk associates that his alleged drug use could jeopardize his companies and his top-secret security clearance, which typically requires regular drug testing.
Medical experts have warned of ketamine’s dangers when misused.
“Ketamine can be very dangerous recreationally,” said Dr. Angelique Campen, an ER physician, citing the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry as a cautionary example.
From Tech to Trump’s Budget Czar
Musk’s departure from DOGE comes after months of radical federal cuts that earned both praise from fiscal conservatives and backlash from agencies over disrupted services and job losses.
Initially claiming he could slash $1 trillion from federal spending, Musk now says the administration has saved about $170 billion, with more to come. Critics, however, argue that miscalculations, faulty projections, and loss of workforce productivity could end up costing the government hundreds of billions.
Musk and Trump: Allies with Friction
While Trump praised Musk’s role Friday as “without comparison in modern history,” tensions have grown between the two men. Musk recently expressed disappointment over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a massive spending bill backed by the administration.
“I feel a little stuck in a bind,” Musk told CBS News earlier in the week. “There are things I agree with and things I very much don’t.”
Still, Musk said Friday he would continue advising the president, calling himself a “friend” of the administration, despite stepping back from a formal role.
