Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), took aim at The New York Times on Friday following a report that claimed his alleged drug use during the 2024 campaign trail raised serious concerns.
The report, which outlined how Musk supposedly used ketamine, psychedelic mushrooms, and ecstasy while on the campaign trail, drew an immediate and fiery response from the entrepreneur.
The report suggested that Musk’s drug use had begun to negatively impact his health, including causing bladder issues, and it raised questions about his behavior during the high-profile campaign.
While standing next to President Trump in the Oval Office, Musk was asked by Fox News’s Peter Doocy about the recent New York Times article, which implied that Musk had blurred the lines between his professional and personal life due to his alleged drug use.
Musk immediately interrupted the question and sharply rebuked the newspaper for what he deemed as irresponsible reporting. He dismissed the credibility of The New York Times by referencing the paper's previous involvement in the Russiagate controversy, during which it had been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage, a prize that Musk believes was undeserved.
Musk’s fiery remarks in the Oval Office were a clear indication that he was ready to take legal action. Referring to a recent court ruling, Musk noted that the judge had allowed a lawsuit filed by Trump against the Pulitzer Board to proceed.
The lawsuit sought to rescind the Pulitzer Prize awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post for their coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Musk’s comment was not just an attack on the media outlet but also a suggestion that they were engaging in false reporting, especially in the wake of the Russiagate coverage.
Musk’s tirade against The New York Times was not only a defense of his personal reputation but also a reflection of his broader attitude toward the media. He has long been a vocal critic of the press, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of his business ventures and personal life.
His dispute with the media outlet took on additional weight due to the fact that the accusations against him came amid his ongoing work with the U.S. government in his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The report published by The New York Times on Friday not only detailed Musk’s alleged drug use but also included specific claims, including the revelation that Musk would travel with a box containing 20 pills, some of which were marked as Adderall.
The story suggested that Musk’s use of ketamine and other substances may have been more than a mere personal habit but could potentially be affecting his ability to perform his duties as a business leader and public figure. This, coupled with his highly publicized involvement in government reform efforts, led to increased scrutiny of his behavior.
Musk, for his part, was quick to dismiss the allegations as unfounded and unnecessary. On his social media platform X, he took to responding to the report directly, vehemently denying the accusations of drug use.
Musk's response to the situation, coupled with his increasingly combative stance toward the media, indicated his willingness to challenge any outlets that misrepresent him or his actions.
His remark, “I’m not on ketamine ffs,” was a direct refutation of the claims made in the article and signaled that he was prepared to take legal action against The New York Times if the situation escalated further.
The context of this exchange was heightened by the fact that Musk was on his last day working as a “special government employee” for the Trump administration.
Musk had played an instrumental role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he was tasked with cutting government spending and making federal operations more efficient.
His tenure, however, came to an end as the public scrutiny surrounding his personal life and actions in politics began to intensify. Musk’s response to the report about his alleged drug use, combined with his growing frustration with the media, underscored his ongoing desire to focus on his business empire rather than remaining in the political spotlight.
The debate over Musk’s behavior and his relationship with the press is just one example of the broader challenges he faces in balancing his personal, professional, and political endeavors.
While Musk has positioned himself as an advocate for change and innovation in the business world, his controversial statements, erratic behavior, and public disputes with the media continue to overshadow his achievements.
For many of Musk’s critics, these actions raise questions about his ability to lead and whether his penchant for conflict will ultimately hinder his success in the future.
The accusations made in the New York Times report were not only about Musk’s alleged drug use but also extended to his personal relationships. The timing of the report, coming just before Musk’s departure from DOGE, added fuel to the speculation surrounding his personal life.
Musk’s critics quickly seized upon the opportunity to question his fitness for leadership in both the private and public sectors. Meanwhile, his supporters remained steadfast in their admiration for his accomplishments, insisting that his personal life should not detract from his role as a visionary entrepreneur.
Musk’s public exchange with Peter Doocy in the Oval Office marked a pivotal moment in his relationship with the media. By openly challenging the credibility of The New York Times and referring to the publication’s past mistakes, Musk demonstrated his resolve to fight back against what he views as unjust portrayals of his actions.
Whether or not Musk will follow through with legal action remains to be seen, but it is clear that the conflict with the media is far from over. As Musk continues to navigate the complex world of business, politics, and personal life, his relationship with the press and his reputation will remain central to the public’s perception of him.
In conclusion, the ongoing media scrutiny and controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s alleged drug use highlight the tensions between public figures, the media, and the public. Musk’s ability to manage his image, maintain his business empire, and navigate the political landscape will be tested in the coming years.
His defense against the allegations, his willingness to confront the media head-on, and his ongoing involvement in political affairs will likely shape the next chapter of his career and determine how history remembers him.
Whether Musk’s critics will succeed in tarnishing his reputation or whether he will emerge victorious in his battle with the media remains to be seen, but the story of Elon Musk and his tumultuous relationship with the press is far from over.
