As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, documentary director Alex Gibney is questioning whether lawmakers will revive investigations into Elon Musk’s business practices and political influence. His film, Musk, examines multiple government investigations, Musk’s support for Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, and the political and financial power created by his companies.
Questions about congressional investigations
“Assuming Democrats win the House and the Senate, can our political system ignore the power of money and really conduct tough investigations?” Gibney asked WIRED contributing editor Zoe Schiffer after a screening of Musk at the WIRED World Fair, shortly before many major congressional races were called for Democrats.
Gibney’s documentary covers multiple investigations by US government agencies into Musk. The film suggests that the allegations helped motivate his support for Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in recent years.
On Tuesday, Gibney said Musk had donated more than $474 million to Republican political organizations during the election cycle. “Last time I looked, things didn’t seem to be going Elon’s way, especially in Texas,” he added.
Shortly after those remarks, James Tarico was declared the winner of the Senate race and Gina Hinojosa was elected governor, becoming one of the first Democrats to win a statewide election in Texas in more than 30 years. Musk, who has maintained close ties with Texas political figures, donated at least $158 million to a super PAC supporting Tarico’s opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“Musk has an insane amount of money right now, so dropping $500 million in the election doesn’t mean anything to him,” Gibney said. However, much of Musk’s wealth is tied to his company’s stock. “The question is, what happens if that stock starts to fall?”
Interviews and a simulated Musk
While making Musk, Gibney interviewed technology entrepreneurs, former employees, Musk’s first wife Justin Wilson, and his ex-girlfriend Ashley St. Clair. The film also features an interview between Schiffer and WIRED Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond.
Musk declined to participate in an interview. Gibney’s team instead used Musk’s past public comments to create a simulated version of him, combining authentic quotations with a tanned, muscular avatar wearing a leather jacket.
On X, Musk called the documentary a “hit piece.” In September, his lawyer, Alex Spiro, sent a letter to Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions threatening a defamation lawsuit before the film’s release.
Release and promotion
The film’s release has also become complicated. In early October, independent distributor Bleecker Street, which owns the domestic theatrical rights to Musk, moved the release date forward by a week after strong festival reviews.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, YouTube, TikTok and Meta initially declined to promote the film’s trailer ahead of its debut. X did not promote the trailer at all.
Musk will be available to rent or purchase from November 6, after which it will no longer be shown in theaters.
Source: www.wired.com
