Recent developments indicate that Elon Musk is under federal review for allegedly failing to report international meetings and drug use since at least 2021. This scrutiny has been intensified as Musk has been flagged for review three times by federal authorities, raising concerns about his security clearance status. Currently, Musk holds a top-secret clearance but was denied a higher Special Access Program clearance in 2023 due to insufficient explanations regarding his meetings with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by The New Republic.
In light of these issues, Senator Jeanne Shaheen has called for a thorough investigation into Musk's interactions with foreign leaders, emphasizing the potential implications for national security. While no formal accusations have been made against Musk at this time, the ongoing reviews could significantly impact his role at SpaceX and other ventures. The situation is further complicated by the possibility that former President Donald Trump could grant Musk security clearance after his inauguration, which adds a layer of political intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
These developments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Musk's personal conduct, including allegations of drug use and concerns about his leadership at Tesla and SpaceX. Reports have indicated that Musk has used various substances, including LSD and ketamine, which has raised alarms among executives and board members at his companies. Linda Johnson Rice, a former Tesla director, reportedly did not stand for reelection due to frustrations with Musk's behavior and concerns about his drug use, as highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and The Jerusalem Post.
Despite these concerns, Musk's attorney has stated that he is regularly and randomly drug tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test. The Pentagon has reviewed Musk's federal security clearance following his marijuana use on a podcast in 2018, but Musk claims to have passed all tests with no trace amounts of drugs or alcohol found in his system.
The combination of Musk's personal controversies and the federal review of his security clearance raises significant questions about the ethical implications of his actions and their potential impact on his business ventures. As the scrutiny continues, the implications of his foundation's funding decisions and his personal conduct will likely remain a focal point of discussion in the business and nonprofit sectors.