Elon Musk’s battle to prove his sobriety continues, as he keeps posting drug tests on X — the social media platform he owns — showing clean, sober results.
The Tesla CEO has faced a myriad of allegations throughout his public life. A bombshell WSJ report accused him of crossing boundaries with women who work for him. Tesla has been sued by the government for fostering a racially abusive culture. Even Trump seemingly suggested that Musk takes “a fat shot” that won’t work for him. But this one allegation — drug use — is the one thing Musk simply won’t let fly. And he’s seemingly willing to do everything in his power to try and convince followers to not believe anything these specific publications publish about him.
Since the news cycle moves fast, let’s freshen your memory a little. Right in between Elon Musk formally relieving himself as a special agent of the government at DOGE and turning up at the White House with a black eye, The New York Times released one of the most scathing reports they’ve published in a while.
The report alleged that Musk is juggling ecstasy, mushrooms, and ketamine. His use of ketamine was reportedly so severe that it’s affecting his bladder. The reason he supposedly prefers this particular cocktail of substances? Because he considers them legal. Calling ketamine legal — while technically true — is generous, especially considering that just this week, the late actor Matthew Perry’s doctor pled guilty to recklessly prescribing that very drug.
Immediately after the first report dropped, Musk took to X to claim that he’s not on any drugs and only tried prescribed ketamine years ago. He added that The New York Times is lying. Soon after, he posted his first drug test. He later posted yet another drug test, this time daring reporters to also share their results — claiming they’d fail.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2025
Also, to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off.
I tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago and said so on 𝕏, so this not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then.
The WSJ & New York Times fake “journalists” lied through their teeth about me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 18, 2025
Now let’s see their drug test results.
They will fail. pic.twitter.com/QvLRWyHbSC
At some point during the frenzy of Musk proving just how not on drugs he is, The New York Times PR account responded to one of his tweets, saying, “Elon Musk is continuing to lash out because he doesn’t like our reporting.” To which Musk first responded with a GIF of the infamous Ugandan reporter asking, “Why are you gae?” He then, presumptively calmed down and offered further commentary, suggesting that all he did was post his drug test with “lol” — and somehow that was considered lashing out.
Elon Musk is continuing to lash out because he doesn't like our reporting. Nothing that he's said or presented since our article about his drug use during the presidential campaign was published contradicts what we uncovered. We stand by our journalism.
— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) June 17, 2025
I literally just posted “lol” and the drug test results. How exactly is that “lashing out”?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 18, 2025
From an outsider’s perspective, we can’t know for sure if Elon Musk’s drug tests are exactly what he claims they are. The New York Times has stood by its reporting, which was notably thorough, featuring multiple sources. Even if Musk decides to sue, that wouldn’t be the first time the publication faces legal action this year. Justin Baldoni approached them with similar claims of bias — and resoundingly lost in court. That outcome does seem to suggest The Times covers its bases before going to print.
Still, if Elon Musk feels he’s been unfairly targeted, he can take the matter to court and prove them wrong. That is, after all, what happens in a democracy.
