Elon Musk is facing alarming new accusations of rampant drug use and pressuring Tesla board members into substance abuse in order to gain his favor, according to an explosive report by the Wall Street Journal.
Directors Felt “Obliged” to Take Drugs With Musk to Avoid Upsetting Him
Citing interviews with over 60 people close to Tesla’s board and Musk himself, the WSJ alleges that some Tesla directors “felt an expectation” to take recreational drugs like LSD or ecstasy while spending time with Musk so as not to upset him.
Sources claim Musk handed drugs out to board members during company retreats or meetings at his home, creating an awkward power dynamic where directors felt “obliged” to partake to remain on good terms with the billionaire CEO.
“It seemed as if every time directors visited, Musk would give them drugs,” one person present told the WSJ.
Musk Accused of “Plying People With Drugs to Surround Himself With Yes Men”
Critics accuse Musk of essentially coercing his hand-picked board members into substance abuse in order to make them more amenable to his ideas and leadership.
“Elon plying people with drugs to surround himself with yes men and women? Nothing surprising here,” said former Tesla executive Johanna Deacon.
“This level of coercion is the underbelly of the shiny, futuristic companies Musk has built,” she added. “He chooses who he wants around him.”
If true, such actions would raise serious ethical concerns about Musk’s leadership and judgement. It also casts doubts on the independence of Tesla’s board.
Billionaire CEO Has History of Controversial Drug Use
This is not the first time Musk’s recreational drug use has sparked scandal. The billionaire entrepreneur openly smoked marijuana on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2018, and once dubbed himself the “Dogefather” in reference to the meme-inspired Dogecoin cryptocurrency.
Musk has also mused about “candy flipping” through mixing psychedelic substances, worrying some supporters about his stability as CEO of multiple major companies.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2018 | Musk smokes marijuana during podcast interview with Joe Rogan |
| May 2022 | Musk offers to buy Twitter for $44 billion |
| December 2022 | Musk steps down as Twitter CEO |
| February 2023 | WSJ publishes expose about Musk’s alleged drug use with Tesla board members |
The fresh accusations come as Musk continues to make headlines from his chaotic acquisition and leadership over Twitter. However, Tesla investors are now calling for an official investigation into these coercive drug use claims which imply dysfunctional oversight.
What Happens Next? Backlash Brewing Against Musk
Musk angrily denied the WSJ report over Twitter, lashing out at the media and doubling down on his right to recreational drug use.
“WSJ has run so many bs hit pieces on me and Tesla I’ve lost count! This latest lie couldn’t be further from the truth… nobody ever felt awkward saying no to drugs at our parties,” tweeted Musk.
However, Senator Elizabeth Warren joined a growing chorus calling for a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) probe into both Twitter and Tesla:
“The latest allegations about Musk’s drug use and pressure campaigns are extremely troubling given his obligations as CEO of public companies,” said Warren. “Regulators should investigate this egregious behavior.”
An SEC investigation could have serious consequences, such as forcing Musk out as CEO or imposing fines and governance changes on Tesla if charges of inappropriate coercion and conflicts of interests are proven valid.
Musk maintains an extremely combative relationship with regulators and investors questioning his leadership style after years of PR missteps and volatile decision-making. It remains unclear if escalating pressure this time will result in any meaningful changes to Musk’s role.
Conclusion: Musk’s Reckless Behavior Threatens His Companies
The WSJ’s lurid expose reveals Musk’s cavalier attitude toward governance norms – mandatory drug testing and ethical guidelines are notably absent around the billionaire’s inner circle. Critics believe this breeds an echo chamber validating Musk’s worst impulses rather than checking inappropriate behavior.
Musk is already under fire for overpaying for Twitter, gutting key teams, and allowing toxic content to resurge – he can hardly afford another scandal hinting that drug use impacts his judgement as CEO. Unless Musk agrees to some restraints, he risks further harming shareholder and public trust in his ability to lead Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter responsibly into the future through inevitable ups and downs.
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