High on drugs? Elon Musk faces huge problem with government security clearance because of it

Elon Musk's drug use is becoming an issue for government security clearance. Despite having about 400 employees with top security clearances at his rocket company, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk might not get them.

According to the Wall Street Journal, SpaceX lawyers counselled executives against trying to get the volatile CEO a higher security clearance because doing so would require him to reveal details about his extensive contacts with foreigners, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his alleged drug use.

Musk currently has a top-secret security clearance, which allows him access to some national security secrets but not the complete clearance needed by employees working on classified programs, as quoted in a report by Futurism.


It took him years to get his current security clearance, even after he famously smoked marijuana with Joe Rogan in 2018. According to reports, SpaceX lawyers are also taking into account his use of ketamine, a contentious topic in the media.
Even worse, the lawyers fear Musk could jeopardise his current top secret clearance by pursuing an even higher security clearance.

However, now that President-elect Donald Trump has appointed him to lead a so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), these worries might soon be moot. The richest man in the world may soon have much easier access to highly classified information now that he has established himself as a prominent member of the incoming administration.

Musk reportedly cannot access some information about his company's spy satellite program, Starshield, without permission for sensitive compartmented information, which several hundred SpaceX employees possess. According to the WSJ, he is not even permitted to enter the majority of facilities where related work is being done.

The Wall Street Journal revealed earlier this year that Musk had a lengthy history of using psychedelic mushrooms and LSD, among other psychoactive substances. He had never failed a drug test at SpaceX, according to his lawyer, who later denied the report.

It's unclear if Musk will be required to complete a comprehensive questionnaire and reveal his drug use and his extensive correspondence with foreigners. Musk may soon have unrestricted access to highly classified information without having to take extra steps, thanks to the US president's approval.

Since they have already committed to cutting the Pentagon's spending in the upcoming years, he and pharmaceutical executive Vivek Ramaswamy will probably need to sort through some extremely classified data now that they are in charge of DOGE.

FAQs

Why is Elon Musk's security clearance being scrutinised?
Concerns about Musk's previous drug use and contacts with foreign nationals may jeopardise his ability to obtain or maintain higher government security clearance.

Does Elon Musk have access to SpaceX's classified projects?
Musk has top secret clearance but no permissions for sensitive compartmented information, limiting his access to specific SpaceX spy satellite programs such as Starshield.