Just before the wider release of Alex Gibney’s Musk documentary, TikTok banned the film’s social media account from its platform. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According The Hollywood ReporterThe film’s distributor, Bleecker Street, was informed Friday afternoon that a “permanent suspension” was imminent. Bleecker Street has not yet responded to a request for comment from The edge.
While TikTok has no official affiliation with Elon Musk, co-owner Larry Ellison appears in the film via text message offering to help Musk finance his purchase of Twitter.
Last month, YouTube, Meta, X and TikTok faced backlash for rejecting ads for the film. YouTube and Google quickly changed course, calling it a “mistake.” However, TikTok and X have refused to change their stance and neither platform has allowed paid ads for the film.
However, banning the documentary’s account marks a serious escalation, and accompanied by a touch of irony: shortly before the account was deleted, it was posted that people should watch the film “before they shut it down.”
