Billionaire tech executive Elon Musk lashed out at Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney following the Venice Film Festival premiere of “Musk,” a four-hour documentary examining the Tesla chief’s global influence, according to multiple outlets this week. Musk dismissed the project on X as a “hit piece that misses” and called the director a “bitter old man” with “zero integrity,” while legal representation for the billionaire warned of potential action over the production’s reliance on critics.
Venice Film Festival Premiere Sparks Clash Over Four-Hour Documentary
The documentary explores Musk’s political shift toward supporting the MAGA movement, controversies surrounding his Occupy Mars mission, Tesla’s self-driving technology, and his relationships with the mothers of his 14 children. Speaking at a Venice press conference, Gibney stated that he attempted to interview Musk before production began, but the tech executive declined to participate. Because of that refusal, Gibney and his production team developed an artificial intelligence avatar of Musk to deliver statements he has previously made on the record. Bleecker Street has scheduled the film for a United States theatrical release on Oct. 16.
Legal Letter Accuses Filmmakers of Ignoring Fact-Checking Process
Prior to the festival screening, Musk’s attorney Alex Spiro fired off a sharp legal letter accusing the production of bias and ignoring attempts to clarify facts, according to the Daily Mail. Spiro wrote that the project “did not begin as an inquiry” but rather “began with a conclusion,” arguing that the documentary relies heavily on individuals with known grievances against the billionaire. The legal notice pointed to contributors including an estranged parent, a former partner involved in a contested custody and support dispute, and a former friend who broke ties publicly. Spiro stated that the production team refused to engage in standard fact-checking or allow representatives to present facts, leaving the defense team to reserve all legal rights.
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2097733862403281293
Social Media Tirade Targets Director’s Integrity and Film Length
Following the premiere, Musk took to X—the platform he acquired for $44 billion in 2022—to issue a series of fiery posts condemning both the movie and its creator. “Gibney has zero integrity. Zero,” Musk wrote in a widely circulated post, adding that “dogshit is worth more respect than Gibney.” He characterized the four-hour runtime as a “fatal sin” that made the project “boring af,” claiming the director merely assembled a “hit list of people who either have an axe to grind or don’t even know me.” Musk also amplified a conspiracy theory image depicting the Democratic Party controlling a puppet labeled “Team Soros,” which in turn controlled an “Alex Gibney” puppet, responding to the graphic with the single word: “Accurate.” Furthermore, Musk dismissed claims made during the Venice panel by former Maga influencer Ashley St. Clair, the mother of his 13th child, who alleged that his team offered her a $40 million non-disclosure agreement last year. Replying to a TMZ article covering the allegation on X, Musk stated: “She was never offered that and has a history of making false claims.”
Contrasting Perspectives on Musk’s Public Influence
The stark divide between the documentary’s framing and Musk’s defense highlights the ongoing international debate surrounding the tech entrepreneur’s public footprint. While Gibney suggested during the Venice press conference that Musk’s difficult and traumatic childhood in South Africa might explain how he behaves now—the director theorizing that “he’s now playing out that trauma on the rest of us”—allies pushed back fiercely. Katie Miller, a podcaster, wife of Trump advisor Stephen Miller, and former communications director for Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, amplified posts criticizing the film’s lack of access to friendly voices. Miller argued that a movie cannot be considered “definitive” when individuals present during the events chose not to participate.
Did you know? Alex Gibney has previously directed investigative documentaries focusing on high-profile figures and corporate scandals, including films about Enron, WikiLeaks, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, before turning his lens toward the world’s richest man.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the documentary ‘Musk’ be released?
Bleecker Street has scheduled the four-hour documentary for a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 16, following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Did Elon Musk participate in the making of the film?
No. According to director Alex Gibney, the production team attempted to interview Musk before filming began, but he declined to participate. Filmmakers instead utilized an AI avatar to deliver statements Musk had previously made.
What did Elon Musk’s legal team say about the documentary?
Attorney Alex Spiro sent a legal letter prior to the screening accusing the filmmakers of bias, refusing standard fact-checking processes, and relying on sources with known grievances against Musk, according to the Daily Mail.
What allegations did Ashley St. Clair make at Venice?
Speaking on a Venice press panel, Ashley St. Clair alleged that Musk’s team offered her a $40 million non-disclosure agreement regarding their time together after the birth of their child last year. Musk denied the claim on X, stating she was never offered that amount.
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