Ads promoting a documentary that scrutinizes Elon Musk, a controversial billionaire, were reportedly rejected on TikTok and X but have now been approved to run on YouTube and Meta’s social media platforms after a short delay. The trailer for the nearly four-hour film named “Musk” was released on Thursday in anticipation of its Oct. 9 theatrical premiere. 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 a comment.
Following online backlash, YouTube announced on Saturday that the ads for “Musk” are now live on the platform after a temporary restriction. Meta also confirmed that the ads were mistakenly rejected and have now been reinstated. Bleecker Street, TikTok, and X did not respond to requests for comment.
TikTok does not allow paid political advertisements, and Meta has restrictions 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. Musk’s political involvement gained attention when he supported Donald Trump’s re-election campaign in 2024 and later served in his administration. Despite leaving the administration, Musk remains a polarizing figure known for his outspoken views.
The documentary explores allegations that Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, has sought to influence online discourse by acquiring Twitter, now known as X, and potentially manipulating the 2024 election through his Starlink satellites. Director Alex Gibney expressed gratitude after YouTube and Meta reversed their decision to reject the ads, attributing the change to public pressure. Musk has consistently criticized the documentary as a “hit piece” since it was announced in 2023, labeling Gibney as a “horrible human.”
Although Musk’s trailer includes snippets from his political activities, it remains unclear how it violates the platforms’ ad policies. The film has received positive reviews, with critics describing it as a scathing portrayal of Musk’s power and influence. Another upcoming project, “The Social Reckoning,” directed by Aaron Sorkin, will focus on Mark Zuckerberg, following the success of the 2010 film “The Social Network.”