Elon Musk lashes out in Oval Workplace when requested about report on his ketamine use
Throughout an Oval Workplace send-off Friday marking the tip of his formal function with the Trump administration, Elon Musk lashed out when requested a few New York Instances report alleging he was a frequent person of the drug ketamine throughout the 2024 marketing campaign.
“The New York Instances. Is that the identical publication that obtained a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate?” Musk requested whereas standing alongside President Trump, reducing off a query from Fox Information reporter Peter Doocy in regards to the Instances. “Let’s transfer on.”
Musk’s remarks got here on the identical day that the Instances reported he used ketamine — which can be utilized each recreationally and medically — as typically as as soon as a day in 2024. Musk has informed individuals he took ketamine so ceaselessly that it affected his bladder, and he has additionally used ecstasy and magic mushrooms at occasions, the paper stated, citing unnamed sources.
CBS Information has reached out to Musk and his spokesperson for remark.
Musk has stated publicly he has a prescription for ketamine. However he informed journalist Don Lemon final 12 months he makes use of it occasionally, taking a “small quantity as soon as each different week” to assist him get out of a “depressive mindstate.” He informed Lemon he would not really feel he is abused the drug, saying, “when you use an excessive amount of ketamine, you may’t actually get work performed…and I’ve a variety of work.”
Musk additionally informed Lemon that at occasions, weeks will go by with out him utilizing ketamine.
The Wall Avenue Journal reported final 12 months that some Musk associates fear his reported drug use may hurt his companies, which embody Tesla, SpaceX, social community X and a number of other different companies. The billionaire has dismissed any considerations in regards to the affect on his firms, telling Lemon, “what issues is execution.”
Musk has stated he has a top-secret safety clearance, which usually requires drug testing.
A hallucinogenic drug, ketamine is accepted by the Meals and Drug Administration as an anesthetic. The FDA says it has not approved ketamine to deal with psychiatric issues, although one of many molecules that makes up ketamine could be administered beneath medical supervision to deal with melancholy. It’s also typically distributed illegally.
Ketamine could be “very harmful” when used recreationally, Dr. Angelique Campen, an emergency room physician in California, has beforehand informed CBS Information Los Angeles. The drug drew consideration after it was partly blamed for the 2023 demise of actor Matthew Perry.
The Oval Workplace back-and-forth got here as Musk wrapped up his stint as a “particular authorities worker” within the Trump administration, the place he oversaw the cost-cutting Division of Authorities Effectivity, or DOGE. Musk and his crew have swept via the federal government in latest months, slashing federal contracts and reducing employees — drawing applause from Trump allies and condemnation from opponents.
Musk had predicted he may lower $1 trillion from the federal finances, however the administration says DOGE has saved about $170 billion up to now — although Musk predicted Friday the $1 trillion objective continues to be potential “over time.” Among the cuts tallied by DOGE have contained errors, and one evaluation estimates DOGE might find yourself costing the federal government lots of of billions resulting from misplaced productiveness and adjustments to federal staff’ standing.
In latest days, Musk has criticized elements of Mr. Trump’s agenda. He informed CBS Information earlier this week he has some “variations of opinion” with the administration, and feels “slightly caught in a bind” when he disagrees. He additionally stated he was “upset” by the value tag of the One Large Lovely Invoice Act, a sweeping Trump-backed invoice handed by Home Republicans final week.
However in Friday’s Oval Workplace occasion, Mr. Trump was laudatory of Musk, saying his function “has been with out comparability in fashionable historical past.” Musk stated he expects to maintain visiting the White Home and can function a “buddy and adviser” to the president.
Weijia Jiang and
Melissa Quinn
contributed to this report.
