Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney has released a new film, Musk, which explores how Elon Musk accumulated vast amounts of wealth and power. The film, which took four years to research, features a trove of facts, videos, legal documents, and interviews with people close to Musk. Gibney, who narrates the film, says his perspective on Musk shifted from interest to criticism as he prepared the documentary. Gibney had previously owned a Tesla Powerwall and solar panels but became increasingly resentful and angry as he uncovered more information.
The film's release has been marked by controversy, with Musk using insults to describe Gibney and threatening a defamation lawsuit. Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, sent a letter to Gibney's Jigsaw Productions company in September, focusing on an exchange between Gibney and Ashley St. Clair, a one-time MAGA influencer who had a child with Musk. The exchange involved text messages Musk sent St. Clair before the November 2024 presidential election, in which he mentioned feeling optimistic about Donald Trump winning and referenced "lasers" from space.
Gibney's film examines Musk's business practices, particularly at SpaceX and Tesla. While the companies have achieved technological advancements, Gibney noticed that their stock prices were disproportionate to their economic value. He believes Musk oversold his products, casting SpaceX as a grander venture than it was and promoting Tesla's electric cars as self-driving when they were not. According to the film, Tesla's cars were not made with enough sensors to be self-driving, which led to some crashes.
Gibney had prepared for the possibility of a lawsuit from Musk, hiring a battery of lawyers and an independent fact checker to review his work. He is counting on Musk's commitment to free speech to protect his documentary. A lawsuit would also trigger a discovery process, allowing Gibney to subpoena Musk's internal documents. Gibney has previously investigated companies like Enron and Elizabeth Holmes' blood-testing startup in his films.
The film, Musk, opens in theaters and will stream on HBO in a few months. Gibney's perspective on Musk shifted significantly as he researched the documentary, from admiration to criticism. He says he was interested in Musk's work initially but became increasingly angry as he uncovered more information. The documentary explores Musk's business practices and the impact of his companies on society.
Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, has not responded to NPR's requests for comment on the specific claims made in the film. Gibney stands by his documentary, saying that he is counting on the truth to protect him from a potential lawsuit. The film has sparked controversy, with Musk threatening a defamation lawsuit over the documentary's portrayal of him.
The documentary is Gibney's latest investigation into powerful individuals and companies. He has previously examined Enron and Elizabeth Holmes' blood-testing startup in his films. The film, Musk, provides a critical look at Elon Musk's business practices and the impact of his companies on society.
Key points
- The documentary examines Musk's business practices, particularly at SpaceX and Tesla.
- Gibney had prepared for the possibility of a lawsuit from Musk, hiring a battery of lawyers and an independent fact checker to review his work.
- The film, Musk, opens in theaters and will stream on HBO in a few months.
