TikTok permanently bans ‘Musk’ documentary advertising account
A four-hour documentary about Elon Musk continues to meet resistance from social media platforms.
Key points
- TikTok permanently suspended the advertising account for the Elon Musk documentary, citing its political content.
- Meta and YouTube initially rejected ads for the film's trailer before eventually allowing them.
- The film opened in four theaters last weekend and is set to stream on HBO next year.
TikTok has permanently banned the advertising account for "Musk," a four-hour documentary about Elon Musk, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film's distributor, Bleecker Street, was notified that the account received a "permanent suspension" because of its political content. TechCrunch said it has contacted TikTok for comment.
The documentary is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Ads promoting its trailer were initially rejected by Meta and YouTube as well, though both platforms later allowed the ad, with Meta attributing the rejection to "an error."
Other platforms and distribution
Gibney recently confirmed that the film's international distributor Universal had wavered in its plans to release "Musk," though it is now moving forward. X, which Musk owns, has refused to carry ads for the film.
TikTok's U.S. operations are partly owned by Larry Ellison, who, like Musk, has been a notable supporter of President Donald Trump.
permanent suspension
— TikTok, in its notice to Bleecker Street
Release and streaming plans
"Musk" opened in just four theaters last weekend and is now rolling out more broadly. Next year, it is supposed to stream on HBO, now part of Paramount/Skydance and led by Ellison's son David.
