In a surprising turn of events, former CNN reporter Don Lemon sat down with Tesla CEO Elon Musk for an interview on Musk’s social network platform, X. Originally intended to be the launch pad for Lemon’s new talk show on X, the plans were abruptly canceled by Musk after the recording was completed. Over the course of a slightly over an hour, the duo touched on a myriad of subjects, from immigration politics to content moderation, and even delved into Musk’s personal struggles with depression and his use of ketamine.
Musk’s View of X: A PvP Platform
During the interview, Musk made a unique comparison, likening X to a player versus player (PvP) platform. In gaming parlance, PvP typically refers to games where players battle against each other, often to the death. Musk’s comparison seemed to stem from his occasional late-night posts, which often have an argumentative tone. He further explained his analogy by stating his preference for “hardcore” gaming, where he enjoys blowing off steam. He agreed, to a certain extent, that engaging in debates on X served a similar purpose. However, he was quick to point out that he also uses the platform for more than just arguments. “I use it to post jokes, sometimes trivia, sometimes things that are of great importance,” Musk stated.
Musk’s Struggle with Depression and Ketamine Use
One of the more personal segments of the interview revolved around Musk’s mental health. The billionaire entrepreneur revealed that he has a prescription for ketamine, a controlled substance often used in medical environments as an anesthetic and for treatment-resistant depression. He admitted to using the drug during “times when I have a sort of a negative chemical state in my brain, like depression, I guess,” and found it helpful in improving his mindset. Musk clarified that he doesn’t believe he abuses the substance, stating, “If you’ve used too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done. I have a lot of work.”
Chance Encounter with Trump
Musk also disclosed a recent unexpected meeting with former President Donald Trump in Florida. Musk clarified that the meeting wasn’t planned. He was at a friend’s place for breakfast when Trump happened to stop by. “President Trump likes to talk, and so he talked,” Musk said. He also made it clear that no groundbreaking discussions took place and that he was not asked for a donation.
As the interview progressed, the conversation shifted to the topic of immigration and the controversial ‘great replacement theory.’ Musk distanced himself from this theory, which claims that Jews are orchestrating a plot to diminish the influence of white people in the U.S. However, he did suggest that a surge in undocumented immigrants could potentially be influencing U.S. elections in favor of Democrats, a claim met with skepticism by Lemon.
This candid interview gave us a rare glimpse into Musk’s personal life and his thoughts on various social and political issues. It’s worth noting that Musk has always been a controversial figure, known for his outspoken and often unpredictable social media presence. This interview was no exception, and it certainly makes us wonder what the future holds for X under Musk’s leadership. For more insights into Elon Musk’s life and work, check out this detailed profile on Biography.com.
