Elon Musk drug use: Does Trump's BFF suffer from ketamine bladder syndrome? What we know

Elon Musk heavily used a number of drugs, including ketamine and ecstasy, during the 2024 presidential campaign to help elect Donald Trump president

Published on: May 30, 2025, 20:17:32 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Elon Musk heavily used a number of drugs, including ketamine and ecstasy, during the 2024 presidential campaign to help elect Donald Trump president, The New York Times cited sources to report on Friday. The publication added that the Tesla CEO traveled with a box that held about 20 pills. The billionaire also reportedly complained about excessive ketamine use affecting his bladder. He also took Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms on occasions, NYT added.

Elon Musk has spoken about using ketamine previously (AFP File)

As soon as the New York Times report was out, several social media users speculated that Musk might be suffering from ketamine bladder syndrome. Some noted that the billionaire could be facing other health issues, too.

“ketamine “affecting your bladder” actually means you piss blood so he is already in hell,” one person noted on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

“lol Elon Musk was using so much ketamine on the campaign trail that it was hurting his bladder,” another one tweeted.

The report, however, doesn't mention ketamine bladder syndrome. Neither Musk nor the White House have responded to the explosive claims in the NYT report.

What is Ketamine Bladder Syndrome?

Ketamine bladder syndrome, also known as ketamine-induced cystitis or ketamine uropathy, is a medical condition associated with chronic, heavy use of ketamine. It primarily affects the urinary system, causing damage to the bladder and, in severe cases, other parts of the urinary tract.

Ketamine and its metabolites (breakdown products) are excreted through urine and can irritate and damage the bladder lining when present in high concentrations over time.

The report about Musk's alleged drug use comes after the billionaire announced that he is stepping down as the special adviser to President Donald Trump. The 53-year-old is also leaving his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting effort by the administration.

Musk will join Trump in Washington on Friday for a televised sendoff. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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