Ads promoting a documentary scrutinizing Elon Musk, the controversial billionaire, faced initial rejection on TikTok and X but are now airing on YouTube and Meta’s social media platforms after a short delay. The trailer for the nearly four-hour film titled “Musk” was released on Thursday, with the theatrical debut scheduled for October 9.
According to a report by the Hollywood Reporter on Friday, indie distributor Bleecker Street encountered rejections from all four companies when attempting to purchase ads for the documentary. The reasoning provided by YouTube, TikTok, and Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) pointed to “political content,” while X, owned by Musk, did not comment on the matter.
Following online backlash, YouTube confirmed on Saturday that ads for “Musk” are now live on the platform. The platform explained that the initial restriction was a temporary measure by their system, and after a review, the ad was approved for airing.
Meta, in response to inquiries by CBC News on Monday, stated that the rejected ads were restored due to an error without further elaboration. Bleecker Street, TikTok, and X did not respond to requests for comments.
TikTok does not allow paid political ads, while Meta restricts them in certain regions like the European Union. YouTube permits political ads with transparency disclosures, and X allows them in regions such as the U.S.
Elon Musk gained significant political visibility during his involvement in the 2024 re-election campaign of U.S. President Donald Trump and his subsequent role in the administration overseeing budget cuts. Despite leaving the administration, Musk remains a polarizing and vocal figure.
The documentary delves into allegations that the world’s wealthiest man sought to influence online discourse, including his acquisition of Twitter (now X) and accusations that he may have misused his Starlink satellites to impact the 2024 election.
Director Alex Gibney expressed relief after YouTube and Meta approved the ads, attributing it to public pressure. Musk had previously criticized the documentary as a “hit piece” and threatened legal action over its portrayal of the Starlink satellites.
Critics have lauded the film for its incisive examination of Musk. Vulture described it as a “damning” portrayal that evoked fear over Musk’s amassed wealth and power, while Variety characterized it as a sharp critique of his technological prowess and aspirations.
In a parallel narrative, another tech magnate, Mark Zuckerberg, will be the focus of Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming film “The Social Reckoning,” a sequel to the acclaimed “The Social Network,” to be released by Sony in the near future.