Elon Musk is under fire once again — this time from the New York Times, after the billionaire dismissed a bombshell report about his alleged drug use and wrongly tied the outlet to Donald Trump’s lawsuit over Pulitzer Prize reporting.
NYT: Musk’s Claims Are “Inaccurate”
In a statement to TMZ, a spokesperson for The New York Times said:
“Elon Musk’s statements today were inaccurate. Donald J. Trump’s lawsuit in Florida is against the Pulitzer Prize board, not The New York Times.”
They clarified that the recent court decision only addressed a procedural delay in the case — not the actual merits of Trump’s defamation claims about Pulitzer-winning Russiagate coverage.
“We understand the Pulitzer board will continue to defend its decision and we expect the case will show the quality of the reporting in The Times’ coverage. The Times has never received a request for a correction or been sued over the facts in our reporting.”
They added one final jab at Musk:
“We’d also note that Musk didn’t deny any of the reporting we published this morning.”
NYT Drug Allegations: What’s in the Report?
The Times report alleges that Elon Musk has used a variety of drugs in recent years, including:
- Ketamine, reportedly affecting his bladder
- Adderall, with sources claiming he carries a medication box with 20+ pills
- Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms, mentioned by close sources
The article paints a picture of excessive drug use that could impact Musk’s leadership across major companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and formerly his government post at the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk’s Response: A Times Roast
At a White House farewell press conference on Friday — where Musk sported a noticeable black eye — the Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) CEO was asked directly about the NYT allegations.
Musk blasted the outlet, accusing them of publishing false information in the past, especially related to the Trump-Russia investigation, or what he and conservatives call “Russiagate.”
He said their Pulitzer-winning reporting was misleading and sarcastically suggested they should return the award. He made no direct denial of the drug use allegations.
Trump’s Lawsuit — Not Against the NYT
While Musk claimed Trump is suing The New York Times over Russiagate coverage, the lawsuit is actually aimed at the Pulitzer Prize board, which awarded the prize to The New York Times and The Washington Post for their 2017–2018 Trump-Russia investigation stories.
Trump and his allies maintain that the prize legitimized reporting that was “false and defamatory.” However, Robert Mueller’s report confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 election, though no criminal collusion was established.
What’s Up With Musk’s Black Eye?
Musk appeared to be in physical pain during his press appearance — with a black eye visible in video footage. While he didn’t elaborate much, he joked about it in passing, leaving many to speculate whether it was accidental or stress-related.
Final Word From Musk?
While Musk hasn’t officially commented further, he did sign off his government send-off with confidence in his DOGE initiative, stating:
“The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
In Summary:
- Musk disputes drug claims but hasn’t denied specifics.
- NYT defends its reporting and distances itself from Trump’s lawsuit.
- Musk’s anti-media rhetoric remains strong.
