New reports detail the Tesla CEO’s battles with prescribed medications and family pressures as his ambitious government efficiency project comes to an early end
When Elon Musk stepped down from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this week after just four months, it marked the end of one of the most ambitious — and turbulent — experiments in modern American governance. Now, a New York Times investigation based on text messages and insider interviews paints a complex picture of a man struggling to balance enormous public responsibilities with private challenges.
The Medical Reality Behind the Headlines
Musk, 53, has been open about his prescribed use of ketamine for depression, telling journalists he takes it “roughly every two weeks” under medical supervision. For millions of Americans who rely on prescription medications for mental health, his candor has been both refreshing and relatable.
However, sources who spoke to the NYT allege that Musk’s medication use had expanded beyond therapeutic doses, claiming he was experiencing physical side effects and carrying what they described as a daily pill box with multiple medications, including Adderall. The sources, who weren’t named in the report, suggested the line between medical and recreational use had become blurred.
Musk has consistently maintained that he doesn’t enjoy illegal drugs and limits himself to prescribed medications. Neither Musk nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment about these new allegations.
A Father’s Struggles in the Spotlight
Perhaps more than the medication controversy, Musk’s personal life appears to have weighed heavily during his time at DOGE. The father of multiple children is reportedly navigating complex custody arrangements with ex-partner Claire Boucher (Grimes) regarding their five-year-old son, X.
According to sources, Boucher has expressed concerns about their son’s public exposure, creating tension at a time when Musk was attempting to reshape government spending. Additionally, unconfirmed reports of a custody matter with another child have added to what friends describe as an overwhelming period in his personal life.
Imagine trying to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget while managing custody disputes and health issues,” one former colleague said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He’s human. The pressure was immense.”
The DOGE Experiment: Ambition Meets Reality
Musk entered government with characteristic boldness, wielding a symbolic chainsaw at rallies and promising to slash inefficiency. His goal was audacious: save taxpayers $2 trillion through aggressive cuts and reorganization.
The reality proved far more complex. After four months, DOGE had achieved roughly $2 billion in savings — significant by normal standards but just 0.1% of Musk’s target. The human cost was substantial, with thousands of federal workers losing their positions during the restructuring.
“He came in with the best intentions,” said a senior administration official who worked with Musk. “But government isn’t a startup. It’s millions of people’s livelihoods, complex systems that have evolved over decades. You can’t just ctrl+alt+delete and start over.”
The Weight of Public Scrutiny
The intense spotlight on Musk during his government service highlighted the challenges faced by prominent figures dealing with health issues. His acknowledged use of ketamine for depression — a treatment that has shown promise for treatment-resistant cases — became fodder for speculation and criticism.
Dr. Sarah Chen, a psychiatrist not involved in Musk’s care, notes that ketamine treatment for depression is increasingly common and effective. “We need to be careful about stigmatizing legitimate medical treatments. Many successful people manage depression with medication while maintaining demanding careers.
The pressure appeared to peak during Trump’s election victory event, where Musk made an enthusiastic gesture that some interpreted as a Nazi salute. Sources close to Musk suggest he was mortified by the interpretation, with one saying, “He’s just awkward sometimes. The idea that it was intentional is absurd to anyone who knows him.”
The SpaceX Standards Question
One of the more troubling allegations in the NYT report concerns drug testing at SpaceX. While the aerospace company maintains strict drug-free workplace policies with random testing, sources alleged that Musk received advance warning of tests.
This raises legitimate questions about leadership standards and safety in critical industries. SpaceX has not responded to these specific allegations, though the company has maintained an excellent safety record throughout its operations.
A Graceful Exit?
Despite the circumstances, both Trump and Musk appear determined to maintain their relationship. Trump praised Musk as “terrific” while announcing his departure, adding that he would “always be with us, helping all the way.
The two are scheduled to hold a joint press conference Friday, suggesting that whatever tensions exist remain private. “They genuinely respect each other,” said a source familiar with both men. This wasn’t a firing — it was a recognition that Elon works better outside the constraints of government.
The Human Side of Power
What emerges from the reporting is a portrait of a brilliant but struggling individual trying to juggle impossible demands. Between running multiple companies, managing complex family dynamics, dealing with health challenges, and attempting to revolutionize government, something had to give.
People forget he’s not a machine,” said a former Tesla executive who remains friendly with Musk. “He’s a guy dealing with depression, custody battles, and the weight of enormous expectations. The fact that he lasted four months in that pressure cooker is actually remarkable.”
Moving Forward
Musk returns to focusing on SpaceX and Tesla, along with his long-stated goal of Mars colonization. Friends say he seems relieved to be out of the political spotlight, though he remains committed to efficiency and innovation in government from the outside.
The controversy over his medication use highlights broader societal issues about mental health, privacy, and the demands we place on public figures. In an era where we expect transparency from leaders, how much medical privacy should they retain? When does legitimate concern about fitness for duty cross into harmful speculation?
Lessons Learned
The DOGE experiment, while falling short of its goals, offered valuable insights:
- Government reform is harder than private sector disruption – The complexities of federal bureaucracy resist quick fixes
- Personal struggles affect professional performance – Even billionaires aren’t immune to human challenges
- Mental health stigma persists – Despite progress, medication use remains controversial
- Public service demands sacrifice – The scrutiny and pressure can overwhelm even the most successful private citizens
A Mixed Legacy
As Musk exits government service, his brief tenure defies simple categorization. Critics point to the missed targets and thousands of lost jobs. Supporters note that he brought unprecedented attention to government waste and achieved more cuts in four months than many manage in years.
“Was it perfect? No,” said a DOGE staffer. “But he tried something bold when everyone else was content with the status quo. That counts for something.”
The Bigger Picture
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Musk’s government adventure isn’t about efficiency metrics or drug allegations. It’s about the immense challenges facing anyone who steps into public service while managing personal struggles.
In an age of social media scrutiny and 24/7 news cycles, the pressure on public figures has never been greater. Musk’s experience — whatever the truth of the various allegations — illustrates why many talented individuals avoid government service altogether.
As he returns to the private sector, Musk leaves behind a government still in need of reform and a public still divided about his legacy. But he also leaves a very human reminder: Behind every larger-than-life figure is a person dealing with the same challenges we all face — health issues, family problems, and the quest to make a meaningful difference in an imperfect world.
Whether his four months in government represent failure or a bold experiment cut short by circumstances may depend less on the numbers and more on our capacity to see public figures as human beings rather than caricatures. In that sense, Musk’s brief, tumultuous tenure might have taught us more about ourselves than about government efficiency.
The joint press conference on Friday will likely focus on achievements and future cooperation. But the real story may be in what goes unsaid — the human cost of attempting transformational change while managing the universal challenges of health, family, and the weight of enormous expectations.
As one former colleague put it: “He shot for Mars and hit the moon. In government terms, that’s still pretty impressive.”
