Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, took to social media on Tuesday to publicly challenge media outlets after he shared his negative drug test results. In a post on X, he displayed documentation showing that he tested negative for several substances, including ketamine, cocaine, and amphetamines, and sarcastically captioned it with “lol.” This action appears to be a direct response to recent allegations from a New York Times report, which claimed that Musk had been using a variety of drugs while fulfilling government advisory roles.
In his posts, Musk accused the New York Times of spreading falsehoods, asserting that the publication “lies as easy as breathing.” He also issued a bold challenge to both the Times and The Wall Street Journal, proposing they submit to drug tests and publish their results. Musk’s remarks underline his discontent with what he describes as unreliable media reporting. He previously addressed the media’s scrutiny by stating, “I tried prescription ketamine a few years ago… it helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then.”
The drug test, which was conducted on June 11 at Fastest Labs in South Austin, Texas, examined a range of substances. In addition to the ones mentioned, Musk tested negative for over 22 other drugs, including opioids and benzodiazepines. His response comes at a time when both media scrutiny and public interest in his personal life have heightened, particularly following comments from former President Donald Trump labeling Musk as a “big-time drug addict.”
While the circumstances surrounding Musk’s response are certainly contentious, he continues to position himself firmly against media narratives that he claims misrepresent him. By challenging the media to undergo testing themselves, Musk aims to shift the focus back onto their credibility rather than his personal choices.
The situation highlights the ongoing frictions between high-profile figures and the media, as well as Musk’s refusal to let public scrutiny dictate his narrative. His stance may resonate with supporters who favor transparency and accountability in journalism.
Despite the surrounding controversy, it is essential to consider the impact of such public challenges in fostering dialogue about media ethics and personal accountability. Musk’s vocal response signals a continued commitment to addressing unfounded claims, advocating for a more robust conversation on the relationship between public figures and the press.