Elon Musk lashed out at a Fox News reporter Friday during a send-off ceremony in the Oval Office, angrily dismissing a New York Times report that alleged frequent ketamine use during the 2024 campaign. Standing beside President Donald Trump, Elon Musk cut off a question about the drug claims, questioning the credibility of the newspaper and shifting focus to his role in slashing federal spending during his tenure in the administration.
Sharp Exchange Erupts Over Ketamine Report
The confrontation unfolded when Fox News reporter Peter Doocy attempted to ask Musk about a New York Times exposé published that same morning, alleging the billionaire frequently used ketamine—sometimes daily—throughout 2024. The report, based on anonymous sources, also claimed Musk’s use of ketamine impacted his bladder and cited past usage of ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
Before Doocy could finish his question, Elon Musk interjected sharply. “The New York Times? Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate?” he said, his tone rising. “Let’s move on.” The rebuke effectively ended the exchange, though it intensified media focus on the allegations surrounding Musk’s drug use and their implications.
Elon Musk Defends Medical Use, Disputes Abuse Claims
Elon Musk has previously acknowledged using ketamine with a prescription, telling journalist Don Lemon in 2024 that he takes “a small amount once every other week” to combat depressive episodes. In that interview, he dismissed concerns about dependency, saying, “If you use too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done… and I have a lot of work.”
Still, the New York Times report contradicts this narrative, citing unnamed sources who claim Musk took the drug far more frequently—up to daily. According to the story, Musk reportedly told associates the drug was impacting his physical health, including bladder function. CBS News has reached out to Musk’s representatives for comment, but no formal response had been issued as of press time.
Concerns Mount Over National Security and Corporate Oversight
The allegations of drug use have raised questions about Elon Musk’s security clearance and the implications for the multiple companies he oversees, including Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X. Elon Musk has previously claimed he holds a top-secret security clearance—an assertion that, if true, would likely require routine drug testing and stringent behavioral reviews.
A 2023 Wall Street Journal investigation noted growing concern among Musk’s associates that his behavior, including alleged drug use, could endanger business operations or investor confidence. Musk, however, has brushed off these concerns, emphasizing his productivity and dismissing critics. “What matters is execution,” he told Lemon in 2024.
White House Ceremony Highlights Elon Musk’s Role in Government Cuts
Friday’s send-off also marked the end of Musk’s tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative to reduce federal spending. President Trump lauded Musk’s contributions, calling them “without comparison in modern history,” and credited DOGE with cutting approximately $170 billion from the federal budget.
Musk had initially projected $1 trillion in savings over time, and while his team fell short of that goal during his term, the administration praised the program’s momentum. Critics, however, argue that some of the reported savings are inflated or based on flawed accounting. A recent independent analysis estimated that DOGE’s reforms may end up costing the government billions due to lost productivity and disruptions in staffing.
Musk Offers Mixed Signals on Trump Agenda
Despite standing beside President Trump during the ceremony, Musk has recently expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the administration’s legislative direction. Earlier this week, he told CBS News that he was “a little stuck in a bind” when disagreeing with administration policy, acknowledging “differences of opinion.”
Musk was also openly critical of the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping legislative package endorsed by Trump, which Musk said carried an unjustifiably high price tag. “I was disappointed,” Musk told CBS, pointing to what he considered a mismatch between the bill’s goals and its projected cost.
A Continued Role as Adviser to President Trump
Despite stepping down from his official government position, Musk said he plans to maintain close ties with the Trump administration. “I’ll continue to visit the White House and serve as a friend and adviser,” he remarked during Friday’s event. President Trump confirmed this, describing Musk as “a visionary” and an asset to the nation.
Whether Musk’s public disputes and alleged drug use will affect that advisory role remains unclear. For now, the administration appears committed to standing by the billionaire, even as scrutiny around his personal conduct intensifies. As Trump gears up for the second half of his term, Musk’s future influence in Washington may hinge on how he navigates both public perception and private discipline.
