In an unexpected and bold move, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has challenged two of the most influential American newspapers, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, to take drug tests and publish the results. His challenge comes in the wake of allegations surrounding his reported drug use, which Musk has consistently denied.
In a social media post shared Tuesday, Musk revealed the results of a recent urine test for multiple substances, including ketamine, cocaine, and amphetamines, which came back negative. The billionaire’s controversial response to the media’s coverage of his personal life has sparked widespread discussion, further intensifying the ongoing feud between Musk and the press.
The test was conducted at Fastest Labs in Austin, Texas, and Musk received the results on Monday. The billionaire shared a photo of the negative result with the simple caption “lol,” poking fun at the media frenzy and criticisms that have followed him in recent weeks. According to the document, Musk’s sample was tested for 22 different substances, and none were detected, including the substances most frequently associated with his supposed drug use.
His response was not just a defense of his own actions, but also an aggressive challenge to those who have written about him, particularly in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Musk’s challenge was not limited to just sharing his test results. He took direct aim at both media outlets, which have been reporting on his alleged drug use and his leadership at Tesla. Musk’s accusation centered around a January 2024 article from The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Tesla's board had begun searching for a new CEO.
While the report was denied by Tesla’s chair, the damage was already done, with Musk's critics using it to fuel further rumors about his behavior. Furthermore, the newspaper had reported that Musk had been using ketamine regularly, causing issues with his bladder, along with other substances such as psychedelic mushrooms and ecstasy.
The Tesla CEO’s social media posts following these articles took a decidedly combative tone. He posted, “I hereby challenge the NYT and WSJ to take drug tests and publish the results!” Musk went further, calling out The New York Times, accusing them of hypocrisy and calling their journalism practices into question.
In a separate post, Musk shared an image of The Wall Street Journal logo, mockingly renaming it “We suck at journalism,” suggesting that the publication’s credibility had been severely tarnished in his eyes.
This dispute is not the first time Musk has had a public clash with the media. Over the years, he has frequently criticized journalists, particularly those who report on his personal life or speculate about his actions in the workplace. The New York Times article, which accused Musk of being heavily involved in drug use while working alongside President Trump, has further amplified these tensions.
The report cited anonymous sources, alleging that Musk’s drug use was chronic and extensive, even describing how he allegedly kept his stash of narcotics in a daily pillbox that contained up to 20 pills at any given time.
The Times article also alleged that Musk’s ketamine use had become so severe that it was damaging his bladder. Musk was quick to refute these claims, dismissing them as false and accusing the newspaper of spreading misinformation. "I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off,” Musk wrote in response, denying the allegations and pushing back against what he claimed was a baseless narrative about his lifestyle.
In a subsequent post, Musk provided additional context to the claims about his previous ketamine use. He admitted to trying prescription ketamine in the past, but clarified that he had not used it in years. “I tried ‘prescription’ ketamine a few years ago and said so on X, so this is not even news,” Musk added, explaining that he had used it to help with mental health struggles.
Musk’s openness about using ketamine as a means to cope with depression has been widely known, though the New York Times article painted a more troubling picture of his use of the drug, suggesting it was part of a broader pattern of behavior.
Musk’s challenge to the media outlets also comes on the heels of his support for President Donald Trump and his efforts to influence the 2024 election. Musk has been a vocal supporter of Trump and Vice President JD Vance, investing nearly $300 million in an attempt to secure their places in the White House.
Despite this substantial financial backing, Musk’s relationship with Trump eventually soured, with Musk leaving his position at the Department of Government Efficiency. The fallout led to a public online spat, with Musk and Trump clashing over Musk's role in the administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a healthcare reform package promoted by the president.
During their public feud, Trump even took aim at Musk’s personal life, calling him a “bigtime drug addict” in an apparent attempt to undermine Musk’s credibility. This comment was allegedly made in response to Musk’s drug use and the perception that it had contributed to the breakdown in their professional relationship.
White House officials reportedly blamed Musk’s substance abuse for the strained connection, though Musk has continued to vehemently deny such claims.
As the media storm around Musk's personal and professional life continues to grow, his ongoing feud with the press seems to show no signs of cooling. His challenge to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to take drug tests and release the results highlights his growing frustration with the constant scrutiny he faces from the media.
Musk has long been a polarizing figure, but his recent comments and actions suggest that he is willing to go to extreme lengths to defend his image and reputation, even if it means taking on some of the most powerful media outlets in the world.
Musk’s outspoken nature and willingness to address allegations head-on have made him a figure of intense public fascination. While his supporters continue to rally behind him, defending his business acumen and innovations in the fields of space travel and electric vehicles, his critics continue to call attention to his behavior, both in his personal life and his leadership style.
With Musk’s public persona becoming increasingly intertwined with controversy, the question remains whether his aggressive response to media allegations will help him weather the storm or lead to even greater fallout in the future.
In the world of high-stakes business, Musk’s fight against the media serves as a reminder of the pressures that come with being one of the richest and most influential people on the planet. Whether it’s defending his leadership of Tesla, countering allegations about his personal life, or challenging the integrity of the press, Musk is clearly not one to back down easily. As the drama continues to unfold, only time will tell how this latest chapter in the Musk vs. Media saga will end.
For now, Musk's challenge to the media remains one of the most talked-about stories in the business world, sparking debate over the intersection of fame, power, and the responsibility of the press to report the truth.
