Elon Musk's image as a tech visionary took another hit in Italy on September 8, when director Alex Gibney premiered a nearly four-hour documentary at the Venice Film Festival.
The film examines Musk's relationships, politics, and influence, and includes the insult Musk reportedly hurled at Gibney after declining to participate.
Here's what to know
In France 24's telling, Gibney charts Musk's climb from his early Silicon Valley startup days to becoming the first trillionaire, drawing heavily on memories from former partners, friends, and business associates.
Variety called the film "a lacerating portrait."
Among the documentary's more intimate passages are interviews with Musk's first wife, Justine. She speaks about personal loss and recalls comments she says revealed the tone of their marriage, including Musk whispering during their wedding dance, "I am the alpha in this relationship," and calling her and other partners "breeders."
The movie also returns to allegations involving right-wing influencer Ashley St. Clair, who is described as having had a secret child with Musk. Musk fixer Jared Birchall offered her $15 million upfront plus $100,000 a month for 21 years if she kept Musk's name out of the matter. She turned down the offer and became one of Gibney's main sources.
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More background
Gibney presents the COVID-19 era as the key moment when Musk's politics began to shift.
"Covid is when some switch flipped in his mind," said former friend and philosopher Sam Harris.
The film links that change to other developments from the same period, including the transition of Musk's eldest child and a White House electric car event. Taken together, those moments are presented as part of his move from a relatively left-leaning entrepreneur to a powerful backer of far-right politics.
It also revisits earlier reporting about Musk's alleged use of ketamine and LSD and says Musk reached out to Wall Street Journal owner Rupert Murdoch in hopes of stopping a Journal story.
Musk stayed out of the project and, according to the report, called Gibney a "douchebag" on X.
In its later sections, the documentary focuses on Musk's time leading the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump after spending $300 million to support Trump's 2024 election effort.
The film argues that those cuts damaged overseas aid efforts, disrupted investigations, and prompted serious concerns about access to federal data.
Where can I learn more?
While Gibney's documentary highlights Musk's personal affairs, public scrutiny extends to broader issues. The resulting fallout affects his business endeavors, political involvement, and approach to parenting.
• In Texas, Musk faced backlash over a bizarre child care program tied to his ambitions.
• In the UK, critics condemned concerning remarks made by Musk at a political rally.
• In Memphis, residents pushed back after xAI built a massive facility spewing toxins near Boxtown homes.
• After a robotaxi killed a New York bodega cat, Musk responded as everyone was heartbroken over the incident.
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