Elon Musk Fiercely Rebukes New York Times Over Drug Use Allegations

After being accused of drug use, Elon Musk has lashed out angrily at the New York Times. The tech billionaire’s heated reaction follows recent allegations published by the newspaper, further escalating tensions between Musk and major media outlets.
Tl;dr
- Musk denies drug use amid New York Times claims.
- Trump publicly backs Musk, dismissing allegations.
- Media spotlight renews debate on public figures’ privacy.
Allegations Spark Media Frenzy
In the wake of a provocative report by the New York Times, the American media landscape was swiftly engulfed by controversy surrounding Elon Musk. On May 31, 2025, the tech magnate and head of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, responded on his platform, X, firmly rejecting any accusation of « drug use ». The newspaper had asserted that, during the recent electoral campaign, Musk allegedly consumed significant amounts of ketamine, ecstasy, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and various medications.
Musk’s Vigorous Response Amid Political Theatre
Barely a day after these revelations emerged, attention shifted to a joint press conference with Donald Trump, organized in part to announce Musk’s departure from government. Rather than delve into the specifics of the allegations, Musk chose instead to question the credibility of the media outlet itself. To reporters’ questions, he replied: « C’est de ce New York Times dont on parle ? Passons à autre chose », labeling the article’s assertions as nothing but « lies ».
White House Stance: Direct Yet Supportive
When pressed about whether he was aware of his economic ally’s purported substance use, Donald Trump was unequivocal: « Je ne l’étais pas ». Even so, Trump did not hesitate to reaffirm his support for Musk—whom he called an irreplaceable force—stating: « Je pense qu’Elon est un type fantastique. Il a fait un boulot fantastique et il ne sera pas facile à remplacer ». This clear endorsement added a notable political dimension to an already heated affair.
Ketamine Use: Old Admissions Resurface in New Storm
Interestingly enough, these fresh allegations echo earlier admissions by Musk himself. In previous statements, he acknowledged using ketamine occasionally to manage depressive tendencies and claimed it bolstered his professional efficiency. Whether such personal disclosures fuel or quieten controversy remains an open question.
Looking at the broader picture, this episode lays bare once again the persistent friction between intense media scrutiny and the private lives of high-profile figures. As headlines swirl and public reactions diverge sharply, one thing is certain: for personalities like Musk—and those who stand by them—the line between personal and public never stays still for long.