Elon Musk denies allegations of extensive drug use amid media scrutiny

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly denied a recent report alleging he used ketamine and other illicit substances heavily during the 2024 presidential campaign.

The claims, published by The New York Times on Friday, suggest Musk’s alleged drug use may have impacted both his health and behaviour while serving as a high-profile adviser to President Donald Trump.

The Times report cited unnamed sources who claimed Musk used significant amounts of ketamine, a powerful anaesthetic with dissociative effects, resulting in reported bladder complications. The article also mentioned alleged use of ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms, and claimed Musk frequently travelled with a pill container during campaign events and while working in Washington.

According to the newspaper, it remains unclear whether Musk was under the influence while leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial White House initiative launched after Trump’s return to office in January 2025. The department, tasked with slashing federal bureaucracy, gained notoriety for mass layoffs and sweeping reforms.

Responding via X, the social media platform he owns, Musk issued a sharp rebuttal on Saturday. “To be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off,” he wrote. Musk acknowledged that he had been prescribed ketamine in the past, but claimed he had not used it in recent times. “It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but I haven't taken it since then,” he added.

The denial followed a headline-grabbing appearance in the Oval Office on Friday, where Musk officially stepped down from his role as head of DOGE. Sporting a noticeable black eye, Musk did not directly address the allegations during the ceremony, which was marked by what observers described as an awkward and at times surreal atmosphere.

Speculation over the injury quickly swirled online, especially given the timing, just hours after the Times report went live. Musk later explained the bruise was the result of play-wrestling with his young son, whom he asked to punch him in the face as a joke. “And he did,” Musk said on X. “Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face is...,” he trailed off.

The allegations have raised questions about Musk’s influence within the Trump administration, particularly given his involvement in decisions affecting thousands of federal employees. Still, President Trump downplayed the report when asked by reporters Friday evening. “I wasn’t aware,” he said of Musk’s alleged drug use. “I think Elon is a fantastic guy.”

Musk has previously stated that ketamine was prescribed to help manage what he described as a “negative frame of mind,” and has hinted that it improved his ability to innovate. His public relationship with substances has long been a subject of debate, particularly in light of erratic behavior and unfiltered posts on X.