The SpaceX head has been advised to not seek the same over his drug use and contacts with foreign nationals

Summary

Elon Musk is unlikely to receive the highest-level government security clearance due to concerns over drug use, foreign contacts, and potential risks of disclosing classified information, according to Wall Street Journal reports.

Musk, who holds “top-secret” clearance, has faced scrutiny for past drug use, including marijuana and alleged ketamine use, and reported contacts with Vladimir Putin since 2022.

SpaceX lawyers advised against seeking higher clearance, fearing denial and revocation of existing clearances.

While Musk may bypass traditional clearance under Trump’s incoming administration, he currently lacks access to SpaceX’s most classified projects.

  • @boaratio
    24•3 hours ago

    I had a friend, at my first job out of college, have his “sensitive” security clearance denied after a full year of background checks because during his polygraph he admitted to trying cocaine when he was in college. That’s the lowest level of security clearance, and yet musk somehow has a clearance near the top.

    • @bitjunkie
      2•39 minutes ago

      Did your friend have hundreds of billions of dollars?

      • @oursEnglish
        4•3 hours ago

        And the content of their address book.