Elon Musk’s Drug Use Concerns Prompted Tesla Director to Forgo Reelection Bid, WSJ Reports

Concerns Over Elon Musk's Drug Use

A former director at Tesla was so concerned about Elon Musk's drug use and unpredictable behavior that she chose not to stand for reelection to the electric car company's board, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. Linda Johnson Rice, who served a two-year term on the board ending in 2019, confided in Tesla board members about her worries related to his substance use. Rice even informally suggested the board investigate Musk's drug use, including ketamine, LSD, cocaine, and ecstasy, but her concerns were ignored.

Executives Grappling with the Situation

The Wall Street Journal's extensive report reveals that executives across Musk's companies have struggled with managing his drug use and erratic public appearances. At Tesla, some current directors have sought help from Musk's brother, Kimbal, regarding his behavior, but they have been cautious not to explicitly mention drugs. There have also been speculations that Musk was under the influence when he tweeted in 2018 about having "funding secured" to take the car company private.

Musk's Stance on Drugs

Musk, in an interview with biographer Walter Isaacson, expressed his dislike for taking illegal drugs. However, he has admitted to microdosing ketamine and has been seen using the drug recreationally. Musk has also publicly stated that, on occasion, ketamine is a preferable option for treating depression over SSRIs. Additionally, he gained attention for smoking weed with Joe Rogan during a podcast episode, which led to a safety review of SpaceX by NASA and mandatory drug testing for the entire company for a year.

Representatives for Musk did not provide immediate comment to Business Insider's request, but Musk's attorney informed The Journal that he undergoes regular and random drug tests at SpaceX and has never failed a test.

Source: Business Insider

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By: ktangalakislippert@businessinsider.com (Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert,Hannah Getahun)
Title: Elon Musk’s Drug Use Concerns Prompted Tesla Director to Forgo Reelection Bid, WSJ Reports
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/tesla-board-director-worried-elon-musk-drug-use-wsj-2024-1
Published Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2024 04:18:26 +0000