PALO ALTO, CA. (THECOUNT) — Tesla share price plummeted today after embattled CEO Elon Musk gave a tearful interview in which he asked for someone to take his job and admitted he relies on pills to sleep, reports dmlnews.
Musk, 47, is already facing mounting pressure and an SEC investigation over a tweet sent last week claiming to have ‘secured funding’ to take Tesla private. Now the internet is buzzing the rumors of the tech giant’s illicit drug use.
|
Advertisement |
Today’s interview with the New York Times is likely to increase that pressure after he admitted to a raft of personal problems, exhaustion and says his friends are concerned for his health.
Tesla shares opened down eight per cent to $308 in early trading after a series of falls in the wake of the tweet and ensuing controversy, wiping around $4bn off the value of the company.
Additionally Musk denied he was ‘on weed’ or ‘stoned’ when he sent the tweet claiming to be taking Tesla private for a $420 share, although he acknowledged the value could be taken as a reference to marijuana. He said: ‘It seemed like better karma at $420 than at $419. But I was not on weed, to be clear.’ source
Musk described the past year as ‘excruciating’ and the ‘most difficult and most painful year of his career’.
The interview also raises concerns about Musk’s drug use. It claims the board is aware that he has occasionally used ‘recreational drugs’ and Musk himself admits to frequently relying on Ambien to sleep.
The paper also claims that Tesla’s board is concerned about his posts on Twitter while under the influence of Ambien and have urged him to quit social media.