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Elon Musk, the billionaire innovator behind SpaceX and Tesla, might be at the forefront of space exploration, but there are some places even he can’t go—like inside his company’s most secure, top-secret government programs. According to The Wall Street Journal, SpaceX executives quietly decided not to pursue the highest-level security clearance for Musk, fearing his lifestyle and foreign connections could jeopardize billions of dollars in defense contracts.
The revelation shines a light on the complex intersection of Musk’s increasingly controversial personal habits, his vast influence, and the U.S. government’s need to protect its most sensitive secrets. Despite Musk’s dominance in launching spy satellites for U.S. intelligence agencies, even the Starshield program—a cornerstone of SpaceX’s military partnerships—remains out of his reach.
SpaceX, which holds over $5.3 billion in Department of Defense contracts, operates some of the most secure and sensitive projects in the U.S. military. Its Starshield program, a critical defense initiative providing spy satellite services, requires Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) clearances—levels of secrecy that go far beyond a standard top-secret classification.
However, SpaceX’s lawyers reportedly advised against Musk seeking these elevated clearances. Their reasoning? Musk’s alleged drug use and frequent interactions with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, would raise red flags for federal investigators. Such concerns could derail his clearance application, or worse, lead to a downgrade in his existing access.
Musk’s alleged experimentation with drugs such as LSD, ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine, and psychedelic mushrooms has been a persistent talking point. While his representatives disputed some of these claims, Musk himself has admitted to using ketamine for mental health purposes. “I have a prescription for when my brain chemistry sometimes goes super negative,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that ketamine was a better option than SSRIs for treating depression.
While mental health struggles are increasingly destigmatized, recreational drug use—especially psychedelics—remains a complicating factor for anyone seeking national security clearance. For someone like Musk, who operates at the highest levels of the defense industry, the stakes are even higher.
The U.S. government takes foreign contacts seriously when evaluating individuals for clearance. Musk’s reported communications with Vladimir Putin since 2022 are just one example of the types of relationships that trigger intense scrutiny. Musk’s global business empire, spanning China, Russia, and other regions, further complicates matters, as it creates opportunities for potential conflicts of interest.
Musk’s close ties to Donald Trump, who will assume the presidency in January, could change everything. Trump has already appointed Musk as an outside adviser on government efficiency, and presidents hold unique power to bypass security protocols. With a simple waiver, Trump could grant Musk access to the nation’s most sensitive secrets, sidestepping the usual clearance requirements.
The implications of such a move are significant. SpaceX’s military work, already valued at billions, includes satellite launches that play a vital role in national security. Musk’s dual role as a tech magnate and political influencer raises questions about how these connections might impact defense decisions under Trump’s leadership.
Despite his restricted access, Musk remains SpaceX’s guiding force. Reports suggest the company is exploring the construction of a secure facility where Musk can review highly classified information without formally obtaining upgraded clearance. Such measures highlight the lengths to which SpaceX is willing to go to balance Musk’s leadership with national security constraints.
For now, Musk remains a paradox: a man with unmatched power in the private sector, yet shut out of his own company’s most sensitive military programs. Whether his alleged drug use, foreign ties, or public persona will continue to bar him from deeper government secrets remains to be seen—especially as Trump’s return to office looms on the horizon.
Should Elon Musk Be Trusted with America’s Most Classified Secrets?
Yes, his innovations are critical for national security.
No, his alleged drug use and foreign ties are too risky.
Maybe, but only under strict government supervision.
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