Musk Reportedly Used Ketamine, Ecstasy And Travelled With Pills As He Became Close To Trump

Topline

Elon Musk used a copious amount of drugs—and travelled with a pill box that appeared to contain Adderall—last year as he ramped up his donations to President Donald Trump, according to a New York Times report that comes on his last official day at the White House.

Elon Musk listens as reporters ask U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril … More Ramaphosa questions during a press availability in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Musk told confidants he was taking so much ketamine it affected his bladder, according to The Times, citing unnamed sources who said he also took ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.

The Times also reported it obtained a photo that showed a medication box Musk travelled with containing about 20 pills, including Adderall.

The alleged drug use overlapped with his campaign activity last year on behalf of Trump—with an endorsement in July followed by $250 million to help elect him.

The report comes as Musk is set to exit the White House Friday after announcing Wednesday his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency had come to an end.

Neither Musk nor his lawyer responded to The Times’ request for comment, but Musk has said previously he was prescribed ketamine for depression.

What To Watch For

Musk and Trump are set to hold a joint press conference Friday at 1:30 p.m. to mark Musk’s last day at the White House.

Key Background

Musk has scaled back his role in the Trump administration in recent weeks after brief but tumultuous run at DOGE, taking a heavy-handed approach to government cuts that raised eyebrows among Republicans and led to numerous lawsuits. Before endorsing Trump in July and becoming his largest donor, Musk was relatively uninvolved in politics and sometimes donated to Democrats. He said earlier this month he would spend “a lot less” on politics and on Wednesday, announced that he was exiting the White House. While Musk and Trump still appear to be on good terms, the Tesla CEO broke with the president earlier this week when he criticized Trump’s signature policy bill for adding to the federal deficit, telling CBS he is “disappointed” in the legislation.

Big Number

54%. That’s Musk’s unfavorability rating, according to Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, a 14-point decline since mid-July.

Forbes Valuation

We estimate Musk, the richest person in the world, is worth $428 billion.