Trailer for 'Musk,' documentary critical of Elon Musk, released as X blocks all paid ads

Questions mount over 'free speech' defender's hypocrisy

'Elon Musk'-owned social media platform 'X' is facing backlash after refusing to run any ads for a documentary that takes aim at Musk himself.

TechCrunch and other major news outlets reported on the 27th, local time, that 'X' abruptly blocked a paid advertising campaign for 'Musk', a new film by director Alex Gibney that opens next month. In an unusual move, the platform also barred ads for other films from the distributor, 'Bleecker Street', effectively banning the company as a whole.

The film, which was also selected for the 'Venice Film Festival', one of the world's three major film festivals, drew an immediate response from 'Elon Musk' after it was unveiled. He previously lashed out on his account, saying, "A piece of shit deserves more respect than Gibney."

Other major technology platforms have taken a different path. 'Meta' and 'YouTube' initially rejected the ads as political content, but restored them as the controversy spread, saying the decision had resulted from a "system error." Some platforms, including 'TikTok', continue to reject the ads under their political-content guidelines.

Nearly four hours long, the documentary 'Musk' examines a wide range of sensitive issues, from his childhood and private life to allegations of algorithm manipulation and ties to far-right political forces. Gibney, who directed the film, sharply criticized Musk, calling him an "extremely dangerous person."

'Elon Musk' dismissed the film as "the product of gathering only people who hold a grudge against me," questioning its credibility. He has also advanced conspiracy theories that the film was orchestrated by Democratic-leaning billionaire George Soros and others, prolonging the bitter standoff.