Elon Musk reportedly uses illegal drugs, including ecstasy and cocaine, a lifestyle choice that worries his executives and board members at these companies. reports the Wall Street Journal.
In recent years, some executives and board members at his companies and others close to the billionaire have grown increasingly concerned that his drug use is fueling his erratic behavior.
Their concerns about the tech mogul's health extend to the potential impact on his six companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, sources told the Journal.
Musk is connected to and essential to the value of his companies, potentially putting about $1 trillion in investor assets, tens of thousands of jobs and large parts of the U.S. space program at risk.
Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Musk, said the CEO told Musk magazine that “drug testing is conducted regularly and randomly at SpaceX and he has never failed a test.”
Musk smoked marijuana on the Joe Rogan show and has publicly discussed his prescription for the psychedelic-like ketamine
The 2018 incident landed him in hot water, with NASA demonstrating to executives how Musk's personal choices could affect the companies he oversees
Musk smoked marijuana on the Joe Rogan show and has publicly discussed his prescription for the psychedelic-like ketamine.
However, witnesses told the Journal that the
In 2018, for example, he took several acid tablets at a party he hosted in Los Angeles, the Journal reported.
The following year, he allegedly consumed magic mushrooms at an event in Mexico and in 2021, he and his brother took ketamine recreationally at a house party in Miami.
According to the Journal, the billionaire even used drugs with current SpaceX and former Tesla board member Steve Jurvetson.
Those close to the 52-year-old are now reportedly concerned that the extent of his drug use could lead to a health crisis or a crisis for his businesses.
SpaceX is the only American company now cleared to transport NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
However, illegal drug use would likely be a violation of federal policy, which could jeopardize SpaceX's billions of dollars in government contracts.
Musk is said to have used LSD, cocaine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms, often at exclusive private parties around the world
Musk has form in making controversial statements on social media
According to the Journal, the billionaire even used drugs with current SpaceX and former Tesla board member Steve Jurvetson
Musk's drug use and the erratic behavior it can exacerbate have already led to resignations at the top of Musk's companies, the Journal reports.
Former Tesla CEO Linda Johnson Rice reportedly became increasingly concerned about Musk's drug use and was so frustrated with his behavior that she did not seek re-election to the company's board of directors in 2019, people familiar with the matter said with the case to publication.
Serious concerns about Musk's drug use arose in 2017 when, during a SpaceX meeting about the Big Falcon Rocket prototype, Musk slurred his words and rambled somewhat incomprehensibly for 15 minutes, according to the Journal's sources.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell reportedly intervened and took over the meeting.
After the meeting, SpaceX executives reportedly spoke privately about their concerns that Musk was using drugs.
One of the people described told the Journal that the event was “nonsensical,” “unhinged” and “cringe-inducing.”
In 2018, Musk was in trouble with NASA after publicly smoking marijuana with Joe Rogan.
This raised concerns among executives and board members because it showed the potential business impact Musk's behavior could have.
Board members raised renewed concerns that Musk may have been under the influence of drugs when he tweeted his intention to take Tesla private in 2018.
The tweet sparked an SEC investigation and resulted in Musk agreeing to step down as Tesla's chairman for a time.