...
By Shane Croucher and Marni Rose McFall
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump said he did not know anything about Tesla CEO Elon Musk's alleged use of drugs while at the White House, while responding to a journalist's question about a New York Times report on Musk blurring the lines between recreational and medicinal use of drugs.
Why It Matters
The New York Times report was released in May and alleged that Musk had used drugs "intensely," in the 2024 election campaign which ultimately returned Trump to the White House.
Read More on Politics
The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said that Musk had sparked concerns about his alleged regular use of multiple drugs, including anesthetic ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
Musk, who had previously spoken openly about using ketamine therapy to treat depression, said that the report was "bs," in a post on X, formerly Twitter, the platform that he owns.
...
What To Know
Asked by a reporter on Monday about the New York Times report, and if Musk had ever "Had drugs here at the White House," Trump responded "I really don't know. I don't think so. I hope not."
The president then added, "Look, I wish him well, you understand that. We had a good relationship, and I just wish him well. Very well, actually."
Trump and Musk's relationship blew up after the latter left his White House advisor role on federal spending cuts.
The two clashed publicly and dramatically over Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
The bill, which is in the Senate after narrowly passing the House, is the tax-cutting centerpiece of Trump's domestic agenda.
Musk views the bill as "pork-filled" and an "abomination" because of how much it adds to the U.S. federal debt.
The two then engaged in a bitter public feud, where both made multiple remarks about the other, including Musk claiming that the president's name appears in the files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the CEO's claim as an "unfortunate episode."
The New York Times claimed in their report that Musk's drug consumption "went well beyond occasional use" and alleged that he had told people he was taking so much ketamine, it was affecting his bladder, a known side effect of the drug.
The outlet said that Musk had repeatedly clashed with top administration officials since Trump entered the White House and was facing a tumultuous family life, including custody battles over his children.
Musk has since denounced the New York Times as "pure propaganda," and said that he is in meetings with many people each day, meaning it would be "extremely obvious" if the claims about him were true.
Newsweek has reached out to Musk via an email to the X press department for comment outside of regular working hours.
What People Are Saying
The New York Times said that Musk "took Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. And he traveled with a daily medication box that held about 20 pills, including ones with the markings of the stimulant Adderall."
Elon Musk on X: "I'm in meetings with dozens to hundreds of people every day and am photographed constantly. If this bs from NYT were true, it would have been EXTREMELY obvious."
President Donald Trump on Friday: "I'm not troubled by anything with Elon."
What Happens Next
Musk has now stepped away from the White House, but DOGE is still embedded across the federal government with a mandate from Trump to recommend spending cuts. Leavitt has said that the "entire Cabinet" remains committed to DOGE.
...
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines