Here’s an English version of the article about Elon Musk smoking on a live web show, rewritten to avoid sensitive terms that could conflict with Google’s policies. The content has been adjusted to maintain neutrality and compliance while keeping the core story intact.
Elon Musk Sparks Controversy on Live Web Show
On September 6, 2018, Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, made headlines during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. In a surprising moment, Musk briefly engaged in an activity that stirred widespread attention, causing a media frenzy and impacting Tesla’s stock price.
The Incident
During the over two-and-a-half-hour interview with comedian Joe Rogan, Musk discussed topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the future of transportation to personal health and the pressures of running Tesla. The conversation took place in California, where certain activities are legal for recreational use. When Rogan offered Musk an item to try, Musk casually asked, “Is this what I think it is?” before taking a brief puff, noting, “It’s legal here, right?”
Musk, who stated he rarely engages in such activities and believes they hinder productivity, appeared to participate lightheartedly. However, the moment quickly went viral, with clips and screenshots spreading across social media platforms.
Public and Market Reactions
The aftermath was swift. Tesla’s stock dropped significantly, falling as much as 10% at one point and closing 6% lower on September 7, 2018. The decline coincided with news of two high-profile resignations at Tesla: Chief Accounting Officer Dave Morton and Chief People Officer Gaby Toledano. Morton, who had been with the company for just a month, cited the intense public scrutiny surrounding Tesla as a reason for his departure.
The incident divided opinions. Some fans viewed Musk’s actions as a reflection of his unconventional personality, while investors and analysts criticized the move as reckless, especially given Tesla’s ongoing challenges with production and financial pressures. A Reddit user commented, “It’s not about what he did—it’s about showing poor judgment when you’re managing billions in investor money.”
Impact on SpaceX and NASA
The episode also drew attention from NASA, a key partner of SpaceX. Concerned about the optics, NASA initiated a safety review of SpaceX and Boeing, citing Musk’s behavior as a potential issue. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine later confirmed he had spoken with Musk, emphasizing that such actions would not be repeated.
In a December 2018 interview on “60 Minutes,” Musk clarified that he was inexperienced with the activity and hadn’t fully engaged in it. “Anyone who watched the podcast could tell I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said, attempting to downplay the incident. Nevertheless, it remained one of the most talked-about moments of his career.
Broader Context
The event occurred during a turbulent period for Musk. Just a month earlier, he had tweeted about taking Tesla private at $420 per share—a number some speculated was a playful reference to certain cultural trends, though Musk denied any connection. Additionally, Musk faced backlash for unrelated controversies, including a public dispute with a British diver involved in a Thai cave rescue.
These incidents prompted Wall Street analysts to call for Tesla to appoint a deputy executive to support Musk and bolster the company’s credibility. Analyst James Albertine of Consumer Edge remarked, “This is evidence that the board and leadership need to address these challenges.”
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