Elon Musk is reportedly initiating legal proceedings against a documentary centering on him following its high-profile premiere, where he criticized director Alex Gibney as a “terrible person” on social media. The world’s wealthiest individual is the focal point of Gibney’s film titled Musk, which made its debut at the Venice Film Festival to a standing ovation lasting five minutes. Critics laud the nearly four-hour film as a penetrating exploration of a figure who has established himself as a polarizing character on the far-right and the leader of a trillion-dollar technological empire encompassing various companies, a range of evolving tech commitments, and alliances with influential figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Receiving praise as an “epic study of the world’s richest and most mundane man” by The Guardian and described by Deadline as a portrayal of Musk as “petulant, self-centered, megalomaniacal, heartless, disconnected from personal relationships (including numerous ex-partners and several children), all while professing a desire to safeguard humanity through Mars colonization,” the film is set to have its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14. Musk had initially labeled the documentary a “hit job” when it was announced in 2023, a sentiment he has reiterated on social media in recent days.
Following the premiere, Musk has engaged in a flurry of social media responses on X, aligning with supporters who critique the documentary, deeming the film “tedious,” and asserting that Gibney lacks integrity and is a “bitter elderly individual who has lost touch with reality,” among other disparaging remarks. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Musk’s attorney, Alex Spiro, dispatched a letter to the filmmakers, issuing a formal legal warning and indicating that legal action would be pursued if the production failed to verify their information with credible sources.
Jigsaw Productions issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter defending the film’s accuracy and asserting that Musk should advocate for the right of productions to scrutinize influential figures, given his stance as a proponent of free speech. Despite attempts by CBC News to reach out to Spiro and Jigsaw Productions, no responses were received by the time of publication.
The film, tracking Musk’s journey from childhood to the establishment of his technological empire, delves into his collaboration with Trump and his tumultuous tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency, where he played a role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that researchers contend has resulted in numerous deaths globally. The documentary features interviews with key figures such as Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, Musk’s first wife Justine Musk, neuroscientist Sam Harris, tech journalist Kara Swisher, and former USAID administrator Samantha Power. Additionally, Ashley St. Clair, a former conservative influencer and Musk’s ex-girlfriend, who shares a child with him, makes an appearance, alleging that she was offered $40 million to sign a non-disclosure agreement and abstain from participating in the film.
Musk responded to reports of the alleged NDA by denying any monetary offer and accusing St. Clair of making false claims. The film explores Musk’s acquisition of X and the alleged manipulation of algorithms. Wired journalist Zoe Schiffer, featured in the documentary, remarked during a pre-premiere press conference that Musk has adjusted algorithms to favor inflammatory content on the platform. St. Clair expressed concerns at the conference, suggesting that Musk is exacerbating divisions and instigating unrest that could have severe consequences if left unchecked.
The film is slated for a limited release in North American theaters on October 16, followed by a broader rollout on October 23.