Elon Musk shared a post on X, formerly Twitter, with an image of what looked to be a negative drug test for multiple substances including ketamine, cocaine and amphetamines.
Musk posted the image with the caption “lol,” directly addressing ongoing public allegations about his purported drug use, which he has repeatedly denied.
Newsweek was unable to confirm the veracity of the image andhas reached out to Fastest Labs of South Austin and United States Drug Testing, which are both listed in the image, via online contact forms for confirmation.
Newsweek also reached out to Musk via X’s press email for comment outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a prominent figure in politics over the past year, thanks to his high-profile relationship with President Donald Trump, as well as his role in the 2024 presidential campaign.
Elon Musk/X/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
His post on X, the platform he owns, follows weeks of controversy sparked by a New York Times report that cited unnamed sources alleging Musk took a “cocktail” of substances during the campaign and while advising President Donald Trump.
What To Know
Tuesday’s post, which has been viewed 4 million times as of reporting, follows another allegation in the media of the tech billionaire’s apparent drug use. On Friday’s episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the host alleged Musk had developed “a drug habit” during his time working withTrump.
In response, Musk wrote on X Saturday: “I’m not on drugs ffs [for f***’s sake].”
The apparent drug test results show the test was carried out on June 11, the same day Musk shared a public apology on X addressed to Trump, stating he “went too far” with previous posts about the president following a falling-out over major legislation.
The image of the drug test states that it was done via urine sample and listed the reason for the test as “other.” The test shows apparent negative results for the following substances: benzodiazepines, amphetamines, ecstasy, barbiturates, buprenorphine, cocaine, ketamine, methadone, meperidine, zolpidems, opiates, PCP, oxycodone, propoxyphene, cannabinoids, tramadol, ethanol, fentanyl and carisoprodol.
Though Newsweek has been unable to verify the veracity of the image, the drug test lists a woman named Jennifer Taylor as being associated with Fastest Labs of South Austin. Newsweek has seen a LinkedIn profile which lists Taylor as the owner of Fastest Labs and states that it provides “Industry-Leading Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing.”
The New York Times investigation, published on May 30, alleged that Musk consumed high doses of ketamine to the point of developing bladder problems and routinely took ecstasy and mushrooms.
The report cited unnamed people familiar with Musk’s activities and photographs purportedly showing he traveled with a daily pill box holding around 20 medications, some reportedly with Adderall markings.
The Times noted uncertainty over whether Musk used drugs during his White House tenure, but described erratic behavior, including public insults directed at Cabinet members and a gesture which has been described as resembling a Nazi salute at an event on Trump’s Inauguration Day.
In a now widely shared post, Musk said: “I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their a** off.” He further stated: “I tried ‘prescription’ ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this is not even news. It helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then.”
Musk also emphasized his high-profile lifestyle, claiming that his drug use would be apparent given his constant presence at meetings and in the media, writing on X that the allegations were “bs” (bulls***).
When Trump was asked on June 9 if Musk “had drugs here at the White House,” the president responded: “I really don’t know. I don’t think so. I hope not.”
Musk and Trump had a very public falling out on June 5 after the former labeled the president’s domestic legislative agenda a “disgusting abomination” and made references on X to his alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump subsequently expressed disappointment in Musk. The spat corresponded with a steep drop in the value of Tesla stock, impacting both the CEO’s personal fortune and the company’s market capitalization.
A little over a week later he issued a public apology to Trump on X.
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for The New York Times said in an email shared with Newsweek: “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.”
Elon Musk on X: “I’m in meetings with dozens to hundreds of people every day and am photographed constantly. If this bs from NYT were true, it would have been EXTREMELY obvious.”
President Donald Trump on Friday, June 6: “I’m not troubled by anything with Elon.”
What Happens Next
Musk has now left his role in the White House, where he was a special government employee, a category for temporary federal workers who are only supposed to work 130 days out of 365 in their roles. His unofficial government agency, the Department of Government Efficiency remains operational.
Update 6/18/25 3:10 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comment from a New York Times spokesperson.
