President Donald Trump looks on as Elon Musk speaks during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
| Published May 30, 2025
Just hours before Elon Musk was to appear with US President Donald Trump in the White House on his last day with the Trump administration, a US media report of the billionaire’s drug overuse cast a shadow over Friday’s farewell ceremony.
Elon Musk made a final public appearance at the White House, where former President Donald Trump hosted a farewell event marking the end of Musk’s short tenure as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The event was informal, with Trump praising Musk for efforts to streamline government operations and reduce spending during his roughly four-month term.
At the same time, multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, The Hill, People, and France 24, reported renewed attention to allegations about Musk’s past drug use. These stories followed an investigative report claiming Musk’s usage of ketamine and other substances was more extensive and frequent than previously acknowledged. According to the report, unnamed sources alleged that Musk used ketamine almost daily and sometimes mixed it with other drugs, citing health issues such as bladder complications as a possible result.
Musk responded to these allegations via X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the New York Times, referring to the coverage as false and politically motivated. He asserted that he had undergone years of random drug testing—required by NASA due to his leadership role at SpaceX—and that all tests came back negative.
Despite the media focus on the allegations, Musk did not directly address them in depth during the White House farewell. Instead, he briefly dismissed the claims and thanked Trump for the opportunity to serve in the DOGE position, a role created as part of a government reform initiative.
These reports come amid Musk’s continued leadership at Tesla and SpaceX, as well as his ongoing involvement in projects including Neuralink and X.
Implications:
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Media Credibility Questions: The pushback from Elon Musk against The New York Times reinforces long-standing conservative critiques about mainstream media bias and agenda-driven reporting—particularly when it involves high-profile figures who challenge left-leaning narratives or institutions.
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Weaponization of Allegations: Musk’s claim that the reports are politically motivated echoes concerns about how personal behavior or alleged misconduct can be used selectively to discredit political or ideological opponents, especially as he aligns more openly with right-leaning causes and free speech advocacy.
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Corporate-Government Oversight: The controversy may reignite debates over how much influence federal agencies like NASA should exert over private entrepreneurs, particularly when these figures are integral to national innovation or defense initiatives (e.g., SpaceX’s contracts with the U.S. military).
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Leadership Standards and Double Standards: Musk’s critics question the appropriateness of drug use by someone in government, but his supporters argue that focus on his alleged behavior—despite no failed drug tests—points to a double standard compared to other public or corporate leaders.
Overall Takeaway:
Elon Musk’s farewell from his temporary government role coincides with resurfaced media reports about alleged drug use, prompting sharp denials and counterattacks from Musk. While he maintains his record of passing drug tests, the timing of the allegations has reignited debates over media bias, personal accountability, and the treatment of politically influential tech figures.
SOURCES: THE HILL – Musk slams New York Times after report on alleged drug use
PEOPLE – Elon Musk’s ‘Intense’ Drug Use Detailed in Bombshell New Report: Ecstasy, Mushrooms and Ketamine That Led to Bladder Issues
WASHINGTON TIMES – Musk won’t validate New York Times report on his drug use, slams it for ‘lies,’ ‘Russiagate hoax’
FRANCE 24 – Drug overuse claim overshadow Musk’s Oval Office farewell
