President Donald Trump has privately questioned whether Elon Musk’s recent behavior is linked to alleged drug use, according to a source familiar with internal conversations.
This development comes just a week after Musk received a grand ceremonial farewell in the Oval Office — a gesture now eclipsed by personal jabs and political discord.
Despite telling CNN’s Dana Bash in a Friday phone call that he’s “not even thinking about Elon” and has no plans to speak with him “for a while,” Trump has reportedly expressed concern behind closed doors.
According to the insider, the president asked aides if Musk’s unpredictable actions might be influenced by substance abuse, referencing a New York Times article detailing the billionaire’s alleged heavy ketamine use.
While publicly Trump has avoided speculating on Musk’s drug use, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that the report “sounded very unfair,” his private comments suggest growing unease about Musk’s stability — especially as their once-close relationship disintegrates in full public view.
The feud reached a breaking point after Musk insinuated on social media that the Trump administration was withholding information about Jeffrey Epstein, indirectly tying Trump to the disgraced financier.
Musk did not provide evidence for his claims. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt swiftly dismissed the accusation, calling it “an unfortunate episode.”
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Trump, on his part, appeared to take the insult personally. While he floated the idea of canceling Musk’s lucrative government contracts, he also joked that “The US can survive without almost anybody — except me.” At the same time, Trump’s team was busy steering focus toward a major legislative agenda, downplaying the conflict with Musk as a distraction.
On the political front, Musk’s criticism of Trump’s new legislative bill — warning it could balloon the U.S. deficit — has emboldened some Republicans. Representative Thomas Massie noted that Musk’s dissent could cause “buyer’s remorse” among lawmakers, while Representative Michael McCaul expressed concern that the feud could derail Trump’s political momentum.
Adding more fuel to the fire, right-wing figure Steve Bannon called for the Trump administration to initiate deportation proceedings against Musk, labeling him “illegal,” despite his U.S. citizenship since 2002.
Bannon also encouraged a full investigation into Musk’s alleged drug use and even suggested revoking his security clearance.
Despite the drama, some allies still hope for reconciliation. House Speaker Mike Johnson, present during the initial fallout, admitted he and Trump were both “disappointed,” but expressed optimism: “I believe in redemption… That’s really important for all of us.”
Meanwhile, the future of Musk’s political contributions — including the nearly $300 million he reportedly spent backing Trump and GOP candidates in 2024 — remains uncertain.
If the rift isn’t repaired soon, it could have sweeping ramifications not only for Trump’s campaign and legislative goals, but also for the broader direction of Republican politics going into the 2025 elections.
CNN
