Elon Musk has reportedly fostered an environment within his circle of business associates and company directors that pressures them to partake in drug use alongside him, a dynamic underscored by a recent Wall Street Journal investigation.
This atmosphere of coercion is said to extend to board members and executives across Musk's ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, where participation in such activities is seemingly motivated by a desire to maintain favor and proximity to the billionaire.
The report details instances of Musk's recreational drug use, including the use of ketamine via nasal spray and consumption of liquid ecstasy, as observed at various gatherings. These practices have reportedly been shared with current and former directors and board members of Tesla and SpaceX, some of whom are deeply financially invested in Musk's companies through substantial monetary contributions or possess significant stock options.
The prevalence of Musk's substance use has purportedly cultivated a culture of apprehension among his top business allies, driven by fears of jeopardizing their financial interests and standing within Musk's inner circle by declining to partake in these activities.
In response to inquiries from Business Insider, Musk, his attorney Alex Spiro, and representatives for Tesla and SpaceX have not provided comments. This silence follows a period of heightened scrutiny over Musk's drug use, as detailed in a January 6 Wall Street Journal report, which Musk nonchalantly addressed on social media, suggesting he sees no reason to alter his behavior.
This scrutiny raises potential concerns regarding Musk's security clearance and SpaceX's eligibility for government contracts, given federal regulations against drug use. However, NASA has stated it lacks evidence of noncompliance with drug and alcohol-free workforce regulations by SpaceX.
The controversy surrounding Musk's drug use has also impacted Tesla's governance structure, with reports of a former director opting not to seek reelection to the board due to concerns over Musk's erratic behavior potentially influenced by substance use. Similar concerns have been echoed by SpaceX executives, who reportedly questioned Musk's sobriety during a notably disordered company-wide meeting.
