News - The Wall Street Journal publishes information about drug abuse by Elon Musk

Linda Johnson Rice, the former CEO of electric car maker Tesla, is so concerned about the impacts of drug use and unpredictable behavior of the company's owner, billionaire Elon Musk, that she did not seek a reelection bid to the company's board of directors, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. Rice, who served a two-year term on the company's board of directors that ended in 2019, had repeatedly spoken to Tesla's board members about her concerns about Musk's use of psychotropic substances, the newspaper reported. Also, Rice informally asked whether the board should investigate Musk's drug use, which includes LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine, according to people familiar with the matter, but her concerns were ignored, the newspaper reported. Extensive media reporting has detailed how Musk's company executives tried to deal with his drug use and erratic public appearances and statements. According to the report, some Tesla executives sought help from Musk's brother, Kimbal, but they were careful not to use the word “drug” when describing their concerns. Also, there was speculation that the billionaire was under the influence of alcohol when he tweeted in 2018 that he was financially secured to privatize his car company for $420 a share, according to the newspaper. The tweet, which sent Tesla shares up 6% the next day, sparked an investigation that led to $40 million in fines against Musk, though he pleaded not guilty. At the same time, the billionaire's attorney said that Musk regularly and randomly undergoes drug testing at SpaceX and has never failed a test, writes the Business Insider.