Ads promoting a documentary that scrutinizes Elon Musk, a controversial billionaire, were initially rejected by TikTok and X but have now been allowed on YouTube and Meta’s social platforms after a brief delay. The trailer for the four-hour film titled “Musk” was released on Thursday in anticipation of its theatrical debut on October 9.
According to a report in the Hollywood Reporter on Friday, indie distributor Bleecker Street faced rejection from all four companies when attempting to purchase ads for the documentary. YouTube, TikTok, and Meta cited “political content” as the reason for the rejection, while X, owned by Musk, did not provide any comments.
Following public backlash online, YouTube confirmed on Saturday that the ads for “Musk” are now running on the platform. The platform stated that the ad had initially faced temporary restrictions but was cleared for running after a review.
A Meta spokesperson informed CBC News on Monday that the rejected ads were restored due to an error without providing further details. Bleecker Street, TikTok, and X did not respond to requests for comment.
TikTok prohibits paid political advertisements, while Meta limits 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’s political involvement escalated notably when he campaigned for the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump in 2024 and later served in his administration as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Despite leaving the administration, Musk continues to be a divisive and outspoken public figure.
The documentary delves into how the world’s wealthiest individual purportedly sought to control online discourse, exploring his acquisition of Twitter, now X, and allegations that Musk, despite championing free speech, may have misused his Starlink satellites to influence the 2024 election improperly.
After YouTube and Meta approved the ads, director Alex Gibney attributed the reversal to public pressure. Musk has consistently denounced the documentary as a “hit piece” since Gibney announced its production in 2023. The film has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of Musk, with some reviewers expressing concern over his amassed wealth and power.
In a related development, Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming film “The Social Reckoning,” focusing on Mark Zuckerberg as a sequel to the 2010 film “The Social Network,” is scheduled for release by Sony next month.
