Ads promoting a documentary that scrutinizes Elon Musk, a controversial billionaire, were reportedly prohibited on TikTok and X initially but have now been allowed on YouTube and Meta’s social media platforms after a short delay. The trailer for the documentary “Musk,” which runs for nearly four hours, was released on Thursday in anticipation of its theatrical debut on Oct. 9.
According to a report by the Hollywood Reporter on Friday, indie distributor Bleecker Street faced rejections from all four companies when attempting to purchase ads for the film on their platforms. While YouTube, TikTok, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, cited “political content” as the reason for rejection, X, owned by Musk, did not provide a comment.
Following online criticism, YouTube announced on Saturday that ads for “Musk” were now being displayed on the platform after being temporarily restricted by their system initially. Meta also confirmed on Monday that the ads were mistakenly rejected and have now been reinstated.
TikTok does not allow paid political ads, while Meta limits them in certain regions like the European Union. YouTube permits political ads with transparency disclosures, and X allows them in specific regions such as the U.S. Musk’s involvement in politics heightened when he supported Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign and later served in his administration. Despite leaving the administration, Musk remains a polarizing and outspoken figure.
The documentary delves into Musk’s alleged attempts to influence online discourse, including his acquisition of Twitter (now X) and accusations of using Starlink satellites to impact the 2024 election. The film has received positive reviews, with critics describing it as a scathing portrayal of Musk’s power and influence.
Director Alex Gibney expressed relief after YouTube and Meta approved the ads, attributing it to public pressure. Musk has previously criticized the documentary, labeling it a “hit piece” and threatening legal action over its claims about the Starlink satellites. The film is part of a trend of tech billionaires being scrutinized on screen, with an upcoming film focusing on Mark Zuckerberg set for release next month.