Billionaire Elon Musk is standing his ground against The New York Times’ claims of rampant drug use during his association with Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
At a Glance
- The New York Times has published an article accusing Elon Musk of extensive drug use during the 2024 Trump campaign.
- Musk has vehemently denied these claims, sharing recent drug test results on his X account as part of his defense.
- The NYT report cites private messages, photographic evidence, and interviews with over a dozen sources.
- The newspaper has stood by its reporting, stating that nothing Musk has said contradicts its findings.
- Musk has challenged the NYT and The Wall Street Journal to have their own reporters’ drug test results published.
The Allegations and Rebuttals
The New York Times has stirred the pot with explosive accusations against Elon Musk, claiming he engaged in extensive drug use while tied to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. According to an article in The Hill, the NYT paints a damning picture, using purported private messages and interviews to allege Musk used substances like ketamine, Ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms.
Musk has categorically denied these assertions, even sharing his own drug test results on X (formerly Twitter) to refute the claims. Despite the evidence presented by the NYT, Musk has remained defiant, accusing the publication of fabricating lies about his lifestyle.
Musk’s Counterclaims and the NYT’s Firm Stance
Musk’s retort did not end with a single post. He has since challenged The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to disclose their own drug test results. Meanwhile, the NYT’s communications department has dismissed his counterclaims as distractions.
“Elon Musk is continuing to lash out because he doesn’t like our reporting,” the paper’s communications account posted on X, in a statement covered by the New York Post. “Nothing that he’s said or presented since our article… was published contradicts what we uncovered. We stand by our journalism.”
The Broader Implications
The paper also defended its reporters’ methods. “Kirsten Grind and Megan Twohey’s thoroughly sourced report provides an important and fair look into Musk’s drug use and family conflicts,” the NYT stated. “They interviewed a dozen people who have known or worked with him, and saw private text messages, legal documents and photographic evidence.”
This public clash points to a larger issue of trust in the media and the responsibilities that come with it. On one hand, a reputed newspaper has published a controversial story with seemingly credible evidence; on the other, a billionaire technologist is using his massive social media platform to mount his own defense. As this debate unfolds, it highlights the complex dynamics of power, influence, and media narratives in today’s digital age.
