X refuses to run trailer ads for documentary critical of Musk

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has refused to run paid advertisements for a documentary that critically examines Musk himself.

According to TechCrunch and The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday (local time), X rejected ads for "Musk," a documentary directed by Alex Gibney that is set to open next month. X also refused to carry ads for other films distributed by Bleecker Street, the documentary's distributor.

After the film — an official Venice Film Festival selection — was screened, Musk lashed out on his own X account, writing that "dog shit deserves more respect than Gibney."

Meta and YouTube also initially refused to run ads for the documentary, citing it as political content, but reversed those decisions after the controversy spread.

Meta said its refusal to run the trailer ad "was an error and we are currently restoring the ads." YouTube said through its official X account that the ad "was temporarily restricted by our system when it was submitted, but upon review the ad has been approved," acknowledging the original block was a system error.

Meanwhile, TikTok and other social media platforms are still refusing to run trailer ads for the documentary, citing policies on political content.

Running nearly four hours, "Musk" covers Elon Musk's childhood, his private life, allegations that he manipulated X's algorithm, his role in the Trump administration, his ties to far-right political forces, and statements described as contradictory or exaggerated. Director Gibney called Musk "an extremely dangerous person."

Musk dismissed the film as "just a collection of people who have a grudge against me" and floated a conspiracy theory that it was orchestrated by figures including Democratic-leaning billionaire George Soros.