Down Angle Symbol A symbol in the form of an angle pointing downwards. The Wall Street Journal reported that Linda Johnson Rice, a former Tesla director, decided against running for re-election to the company's board because of her concerns about Elon Musk's drug use. Antonio Masiello via Getty Images
- The Wall Street Journal reported that executives at Elon Musk's company were concerned about his drug use.
- A former Tesla director did not seek re-election to the company's board because of his drug use, according to The Journal.
- The outlet reported that Tesla board members were concerned that Musk was using drugs when he posted his “funding secured” tweet.
A former Tesla director was so concerned about Elon Musk's drug use and erratic behavior that she decided not to run for re-election to the electric car maker's board, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.
Linda Johnson Rice, who served a two-year term on the company's board until 2019, confided to Tesla board members on more than one occasion her concerns surrounding his substance use, The Journal reported.
Rice also informally asked whether the panel should investigate Musk's drug use — which includes ketamine, LSD, cocaine and ecstasy, according to people familiar with the matter — but her concerns were ignored, according to the outlet.
The Journal's extensive report details how executives at Musk's company have struggled to cope with his drug use and erratic public appearances and statements.
At Tesla, some current directors have sought help from Musk's brother Kimbal over his behavior, but The Journal reported that they were careful not to use the word “drugs” when expressing their concerns.
According to the outlet, others have speculated that the billionaire businessman was under the influence when he tweeted in 2018 that he had “secured financing” to delist the auto company at $420 per share. The tweet, which sent Tesla shares up 6% the following day, sparked an SEC investigation that led to $40 million in fines against Musk – even though he admitted no wrongdoing.
Musk, who told biographer Walter Isaacson that he “really” doesn't like illegal drugs, has also told people that he microdoses ketamine, has been seen using the drug recreationally, and publicly stated that Ketamine, taken occasionally, is “a better option” than treating depression with SSRIs. He also famously smoked weed with Joe Rogan while filming an episode of Rogan's podcast, which led NASA to initiate a safety review of SpaceX, which, according to Musk, resulted in the entire company having to undergo drug testing for a year.
Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, but a lawyer for the world's richest man told The Journal that Musk is “regularly and randomly tested for drugs at SpaceX and has never failed a test.”
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