Elon Musk has denied allegations that he used ketamine and other drugs extensively during the 2024 U.S. election campaign.
In a report published Friday, *The New York Times* claimed that Musk, a top adviser to President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), used large amounts of ketamine—allegedly leading to bladder issues—and also took ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. The report noted Musk carried a pill box while traveling but did not confirm whether he used drugs while holding a government role.
Responding on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Musk wrote:
“To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off.”
He acknowledged previously discussing prescribed ketamine use on X, stating it helped with depression but that he hasn’t used it in years.
The controversy intensified Friday after Musk appeared at a White House event with a visible black eye, formally stepping down from his government post. Musk attributed the injury to playful roughhousing with his son, X:
“Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is…” he joked, leaving the sentence unfinished.
When asked about Musk’s alleged drug use, President Trump told reporters, “I wasn’t [aware]. I think Elon is a fantastic guy.”
Musk has previously said ketamine helped him overcome a “negative frame of mind” and implied it had a positive impact on his work.
