Financial News Agency, January 8 (Editor Liu Rui) Musk, who has not yet fully resolved the "anti-Semitic" public opinion controversy, has recently been involved in the "drug scandal" controversy.
On January 6, Eastern Time, the US "Wall Street Journal" published a report claiming that Elon Musk and his company have been using drugs for a long time, which has worried executives and board members of the companies he runs.
The Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that Musk often uses LSD (hallucinogen), cocaine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms at private parties. Sources familiar with the matter said he continues to use drugs, specifically ketamine.
This report prompted a direct rebuttal from Musk. On January 7, Eastern Time, Musk denied on the social platform He also directly mocked the Wall Street Journal for not even being worthy of toilet paper.
Why is Musk involved in drug use controversy?
In fact, as early as 2018, Musk was investigated by the US government for suspected drug abuse.
In September 2018, Musk smoked marijuana with American comedian Joe Rogan during a podcast recording session. The move puts SpaceX into trouble with NASA.
Because as the only American private company approved to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, SpaceX is required by the US government to ensure that it is a drug-free workplace.
After the marijuana incident was exposed, the Pentagon specially reviewed his federal security clearance related to his position as CEO of SpaceX.
Musk later tried to downplay the incident, emphasizing that he only took a "sip" of marijuana on the podcast. Later, in an interview with biographer Walter Isaacson, he once again emphasized that "I really don't like illegal drugs."
However, the latest report from the Wall Street Journal has put the issue of Musk’s drug abuse back on the table.
Wall Street Journal report screenshot
According to reports, Tesla board members have informally talked about Musk's drug abuse problem for years, and even approached his brother Kimbal Musk (Kimbal Musk) to express concerns about his behavior.
Musk also allegedly used drugs with his company executives — sources told the Wall Street Journal that Musk took recreational ketamine with his brother Kimbal (Kimbal is a board member of Tesla and SpaceX ). Musk said in August last year that he had a prescription for the drug as an antidepressant.
Additionally, Musk allegedly took unnamed illegal drugs with SpaceX board member Steve Jurvetson. The
report also stated that Linda Johnson Rice, who became a Tesla director in 2017, did not run for re-election after 2019, but chose to leave Tesla. The reason was precisely because of Musk’s Disappointment with his behavior, and concerns about his drug use.
Musk retorted: wsj is not even worthy of wiping bird poop
On January 7, Eastern Time, the 52-year-old Musk posted on x:
"After taking a puff (marijuana) with Logan, I agree Three years of random drug testing at the request of NASA did not find even trace amounts of drugs or alcohol."
He also mocked the Wall Street Journal with a poop emoji and said: "The Wall Street Journal even put a parrot in a cage. A bird is not worthy of being used as toilet paper."
Musk's lawyer Alex Spiro responded that Musk "regularly and randomly undergoes drug tests at SpaceX and has never failed", adding that " The Wall Street Journal article contained "false facts" but did not elaborate.
Musk oversees six companies: Tesla, SpaceX, social media company X (formerly Twitter), tunneling company The Boring Co., brain implant developer Neuralink, and artificial intelligence startup XAI.
According to Forbes estimates, Musk’s personal net worth is as high as $243.5 billion, making him the richest person in the world.However, if Musk cannot get rid of the suspicion of drug abuse, it may put SpaceX's business relationship with the government at risk, and the company's market value may also be greatly reduced.
(Financial Associated Press Liu Rui)
