On Friday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk skillfully sidestepped a reporter's inquiry regarding a New York Times article that detailed his purported drug use during President Donald Trump's campaign last year, along with legal issues involving some of the mothers of his children. At a press event in the White House, Musk interrupted Fox News reporter Peter Doocy as he attempted to pose a question about the Times report, preventing him from completing his query.
The New York Times published a report earlier that day, claiming that Musk's use of the powerful anesthetic ketamine extended beyond occasional use, alongside allegations of his consumption of ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. In response to the reporter, Musk remarked, "Is this The New York Times?" while sitting in the Oval Office next to Trump. He further questioned the credibility of the publication, referencing their past reporting on the Russia-gate scandal, saying, "I think the judge just ruled against The New York Times for their lies about the Russia-gate hoax, and that they might have to give back that prize."
Musk's remarks come as he has emerged as a significant supporter of Trump's 2024 campaign, reportedly investing over $250 million to aid the Republican in securing a second non-consecutive term in the White House. His comments regarding the New York Times also referred to a recent ruling by a Florida state appeals court, which declined to halt a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump against members of the Pulitzer Prize board. The lawsuit concerns their refusal to rescind Pulitzer Prizes awarded to the New York Times and The Washington Post.
In 2018, both newspapers were jointly awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their national reporting, which provided deeply sourced and relentless coverage that significantly increased public understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its ties to the Trump campaign. The defendants in Trump's lawsuit sought a stay of proceedings, arguing that the case could create constitutional conflicts, given that Trump is currently serving as president.
In a ruling on Thursday, a three-judge panel of the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal denied the request for a stay, without making a judgment on the merits of Trump's claims. Chief Judge Mark Klingensmith stated that the right to claim burdens on executive functions belongs to the president, emphasizing that separation of powers protects the Executive from undue burdens imposed by other branches of government.
CNBC has reached out to the Pulitzer Prizes for comments regarding Musk's statements. Meanwhile, NBC News has not independently verified the claims made in the New York Times article about Musk, who holds the title of the world's richest person and is the head of various companies, including the government contractor SpaceX.
In a statement to NBC, White House spokesman Harrison Fields praised Musk's decision to step into a governmental role, stating, "Few CEOs in America would leave the comfort of the C-suite to serve in the federal government. Yet Elon Musk did just that, joining the Trump Administration's efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse." Fields emphasized that the DOGE government initiative, which Musk led, is now an integral part of federal operations, driving efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars.
Fields concluded by asserting that Musk has achieved significant accomplishments for American taxpayers in just four months, a fact he believes is often overlooked by the legacy media. Notably, Fields' statement did not comment on the allegations regarding Musk's purported drug use.
