ELON MUSK THREATENS LEGAL ACTION OVER CRITICAL DOCUMENTARY

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has threatened legal action against the makers of a new documentary about his life and career, accusing the filmmakers of defaming him and presenting a predetermined version of events. The documentary, titled “Musk,” was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney and runs for almost four hours. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival this week and has attracted significant attention for its critical examination of Musk’s business empire, political activities and personal life.

Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, sent a formal letter to Gibney’s production company, Jigsaw Productions, on September 3, warning that legal action was being considered over the film. Spiro accused the filmmakers of refusing to properly fact-check the documentary with Musk or people close to him, arguing that the project was built around a conclusion rather than an open investigation. The letter also placed other organisations involved in the film’s release, including HBO, Bleecker Street and Universal, on notice and instructed them to preserve documents and other materials in anticipation of possible litigation.

One of the main issues raised by Musk’s legal team concerns a section of the documentary that allegedly suggests Musk knew early on election night in 2024 that Donald Trump had won because his Starlink satellite network had been used to influence the election. Spiro strongly rejected the suggestion, saying Starlink was not connected to vote tabulation and that election officials, cybersecurity experts and fact-checkers had previously rejected claims that the satellite system was used to manipulate voting results. He argued that even without making a direct accusation, the documentary could still create a defamatory impression about Musk.

The production company has defended Gibney’s work, arguing that the documentary is a fact-based examination of a powerful public figure and that such scrutiny is protected under the First Amendment. Gibney's film features interviews with several people connected to Musk, including his former wife Justine Musk, former partner Ashley St. Clair, father Errol Musk, Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard and journalists who have followed his career. Musk did not participate in the documentary, while Gibney has said that attempts to obtain his involvement were unsuccessful.

Musk has also attacked the documentary publicly on X, describing it as a “hit piece” and questioning Gibney’s credibility and motives. The filmmaker, however, has defended the project and said it examines how Musk developed from a technology entrepreneur into one of the most influential and powerful figures in business and politics. The documentary is scheduled for a wider theatrical release in the United States on October 16, meaning the dispute between Musk and the filmmakers could intensify as the film reaches a larger audience.