In a rare and fiery joint press conference at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk pushed back hard against a New York Times report published earlier the same day, which alleged that Musk engaged in frequent drug use during the 2024 election cycle.
The event marked the official conclusion of Musk’s temporary role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a special task force created to streamline federal spending and root out bureaucratic waste. Though Musk’s tenure in the position has now ended, President Trump announced that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO would remain an informal advisor to the administration.
During the press conference, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy attempted to ask Musk about the New York Times article, which cited anonymous sources claiming Musk had used substances such as MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms. The report also described a “daily pill organizer” allegedly containing a range of prescription and stimulant medications.
Before Doocy could complete his question, Musk interjected with a sharp rebuke:
“Wait—The New York Times? Is that the same publication that won a Pulitzer for pushing the Russiagate hoax?” Musk asked rhetorically, drawing laughter from some in the room.
Musk’s comment referred to the joint Pulitzer Prize awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post in 2018 for their reporting on alleged ties between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russian operatives. That reporting has since been widely scrutinized following the Mueller investigation and Special Counsel John Durham’s 2023 report, which found that key elements of the original collusion narrative were never substantiated.
Musk continued his critique of the newspaper:
“The judge just ruled that the Pulitzer Board could be sued over awarding prizes based on false reporting. That New York Times? Yeah, let’s move on.”
While there has been legal pressure—including from President Trump’s legal team—on the Pulitzer Board to revisit those awards, no ruling has yet forced the Board or either newspaper to retract or return the honors. Still, Musk’s remarks echoed broader criticism from conservatives who argue that legacy media outlets have not been held accountable for promoting unverified claims.
Trump Praises Musk’s Government Reform Efforts
Earlier in the event, President Trump praised Musk’s work in the federal efficiency role, highlighting major proposed spending cuts and agency streamlining efforts delivered during his 130-day tenure. According to internal White House estimates, Musk’s DOGE office identified billions of dollars in potential savings through audits of redundant programs, wasteful contracts, and outdated regulations.
“Few people could do what Elon has done in such a short time,” Trump said. “We’ve never seen anything like it. The results are real—and Congress is going to see just how serious we are.”
A legislative package based on the DOGE recommendations is expected to be sent to Congress within weeks by the Office of Management and Budget.
Musk’s Continuing Role
Though his official appointment has ended, both Musk and the president indicated that their collaboration is far from over. Musk expressed support for continued structural reform, calling for greater transparency in government spending and stronger protections against institutional bloat.
“I didn’t come here to make friends in D.C. I came to help fix it,” Musk said. “And we’ve only just begun.”
Ongoing Friction with the Media
The Oval Office exchange was another flashpoint in the ongoing tensions between Trump-aligned figures and major media organizations. Musk, who has frequently clashed with journalists on social media platforms, used the moment to renew his broader critique of media bias.
“When the media becomes the story, it usually means they stopped doing journalism,” Musk remarked.
Neither The New York Times nor the Pulitzer Board responded immediately to requests for comment regarding the press conference or the referenced report.
Looking Ahead
With Musk’s formal government role concluded but his advisory relationship continuing, the Biden-era bureaucratic structure may face sweeping reform under renewed Trump administration pressure. Whether Musk’s recommendations will translate into legislative victories remains to be seen—but the billionaire’s headline-making presence in the political realm is clearly far from over.
