Trump’s Chief of Staff Alleges Musk is an “Avowed Ketamine User”

In a Vanity Fair interview, President Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has delivered a scathing assessment of Elon Musk's conduct during his time as the head of DOGE. She labeled Musk as an "odd, odd duck" whose actions were often far from sensible.

Musk’s Drug Allegations

In her candid interview, Wiles did not mince words when discussing Musk's personal life, including his long-time use of illicit substances. Wiles reportedly called Musk an "avowed ketamine [user]."

Beyond drug use, Wiles went on to characterize his professional conduct during his role in DOGE as fundamentally unpredictable and self-serving. She described Musk as "a complete solo actor" and stated that his actions weren't always "rational," suggesting his judgment could not be relied upon by the administration.

USAID Dismantling: An 'Aghast' Reaction

One of Wiles’s most pointed criticisms focused on Musk’s role in the controversial shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move tied to his push for efficiency in government.

Musk’s supposed instinct during this effort, according to Wiles, was a "scorched earth" approach—shutting the agency down immediately, firing everyone, and worrying about rebuilding later. This methodology, which substitutes policy expertise for ruthless speed, was profoundly troubling to the Chief of Staff.

Wiles admitted that she was "initially aghast" at the way Musk sought to dismantle the crucial agency, responsible for coordinating global aid. She emphasized the profound lack of common sense involved, stating flatly: "No rational person could think the USAID process was a good one. Nobody." A study published in the medical journal The Lancet estimated that cuts to USAID and foreign aid programs could lead to as many as 14 million deaths in children under the age of five by the year 2030.