In a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, the Tesla billionaire Elon Musk's confirmed use of illegal drugs has sparked concerns among both insiders and the public.
The investigation revealed that several current and former directors of SpaceX and Tesla Inc. were aware of Musk's drug use, with worries arising about the extent and the fact that he consumed narcotics with board members.
The WSJ investigation disclosed that the board neither conducted inquiries into Musk's drug use nor documented any concerns.
This revelation comes as a Delaware court criticized the connection between Musk and his directors, citing conflicts of interest in their decision to declare Musk's $55 billion compensation package excessive.
Musk, who leads Tesla, SpaceX, X, The Boring Co, Neuralink, and xAI, has been reported to have used hallucinogenic mushrooms, cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD at private parties. Despite these revelations, Musk remains unapologetic.
When questioned about the WSJ report, he responded, "Whatever I'm doing, I should obviously keep doing it!" Musk highlighted the success of Tesla and SpaceX as the world's most valuable car and space companies, emphasizing that if drugs improved his productivity, he would take them.
According to the WSJ report, Musk's close associates and board members believed they had to partake in illegal drug use with him to avoid offending him and risking their social standing within his circle. The report indicated that individuals were cautious not to jeopardize the "social capital" associated with being in Musk's social circle.
Elon Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, stated that Musk underwent random and routine drug tests at SpaceX, passing each one. Despite these assertions, concerns persist about the implications of Musk's drug use, particularly in relation to corporate governance and potential conflicts of interest within the boards of SpaceX and Tesla Inc.
As this story continues to unfold, it raises questions about the responsibility of corporate leaders and the potential impact of personal choices on their professional relationships and business decisions. The controversy surrounding Musk's unapologetic stance on his drug use adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about corporate governance and accountability in high-profile companies.