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World’s richest man Elon Musk regularly used drugs, including frequent ketamine consumption that reportedly led to bladder issues, and travelled with a daily supply of around 20 pills while serving as a close adviser to US President Donald Trump, according to a report.
According to New York Times investigation, citing anonymous sources familiar with his activities, Musk regularly consumed ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms during his rise to political prominence.
His drug use reportedly intensified after he donated $275 million to Trump’s presidential campaign and took on a powerful role leading the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” or Doge, added the Times report.
Musk announced he was stepping down from his government role on Wednesday, after months of unusual behavior, including insulting cabinet members and making a Nazi-style salute at a political rally.
Ecstasy is a Schedule I drug with no approved medical use, meaning it’s completely banned for federal workers. However, Musk was labeled a “special government employee,” so he wasn’t held to the same strict rules as regular staff, reported The Guardian.
Ketamine, a Schedule III drug, can be legally prescribed, but using it recreationally or combining it with other substances likely breaks federal workplace policies.
According to sources cited by the New York Times, the Doge leader developed a serious ketamine habit, using the powerful anesthetic as often as daily — far more than the “small amount” taken “about once every two weeks” he claimed in interviews.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“If you’ve used too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done, and I have a lot of work,” Musk previously told journalist Don Lemon in March 2024, downplaying his consumption.
According to the report, by spring of last year, Musk was telling associates that his ketamine use was impacting his bladder, a known side effect of long-term use of the drug, which has psychedelic effects and can cause dissociation.
It’s unclear whether Musk was under the influence while at the White House, where he participated in sensitive meetings with foreign leaders and had influence over federal budget decisions.
The White House did not respond to questions about whether Musk was subject to drug testing, despite his access to classified information.
Although SpaceX enforces a strict drug-free policy due to its government contracts, insiders told the New York Times that Musk was often given advance notice of random drug tests, undermining their effectiveness.
With inputs from agencies
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