Musk attacks Gibney online

Elon Musk has called documentarian Alex Gibney a crackpot, douchebag, and idiot on X in recent months over Gibney's four-hour film about him.

“crackpot”

Film arrives October 9

The documentary Musk arrives in U.S. theaters October 9, generating more news and controversy ahead of release than any of Gibney's previous films.

Musk threatens lawsuit

Musk's lawyer threatened Gibney with a defamation lawsuit. Musk threatened to sue over the movie without even seeing it, Gibney says.

Platforms block the trailer

YouTube, Meta, TikTok and X all declined to run the movie's trailer, citing political content. Universal Pictures also delayed its rollout over political sensitivities.

Universal backs the film

Universal Pictures, which controls international distribution rights, delayed rollout but then said it stood by the film. International distribution was worked out after October 2 call.

Gibney defends the criticism

Gibney says the film is critical but the criticism is earned. It is a rigorous and meticulous investigation of Musk that ends up being critical.

“It's certainly critical, but I think the criticism is earned.”

Musk gets Pentagon role

Musk just landed a new gig co-leading Project Meridian, a new Pentagon initiative aimed at shaping the future of warfare, Gibney notes in the film.

Gibney compares to Jobs and Holmes

Gibney has made documentaries about Steve Jobs and Elizabeth Holmes. Jobs surrounded himself with people who could tell him no. Musk did the opposite.

Government made SpaceX

Musk claims SpaceX would have failed without the fourth rocket launch succeeding. But former NASA administrator Lori Garver says the government decided to keep working with him regardless.

Musk text about lasers

Ashley St. Clair, Musk's ex, says he texted her before the 2024 presidential election feeling optimistic about Trump winning because of Musk's ten thousand lasers in space.

“10,000 lasers in space”

Questions about DOGE data

The film raises questions about what happened to data DOGE had access to and whether it ended up in Musk's hands for use in the 2026 elections.

AI trained on citizen data

Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, says training AI on all data of every American citizen would create powerful tools for election strategy and rhetorical appeals.

Platforms begin backing down

YouTube and Meta are now allowing ads for the trailer. TikTok is not. X said it would allow them but no evidence has emerged of that happening.

Free speech being curtailed

Gibney says the whole situation shows free speech is being curtailed. The free speech absolutist Elon Musk is doing his damnedest to limit speech.

“It's being curtailed.”

Theaters as outlet for critics

Gibney notes theaters are proving to be a good outlet for critical voices that streamers and social media platforms won't allow, citing his earlier film The Trials of Henry Kissinger.