Elon Musk has threatened legal action against the makers of a new four-hour documentary examining his personal life and business empire. The film also investigates his growing political influence, and it has now sparked the Musk documentary lawsuit that is drawing considerable attention.
According to AFP, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro sent a formal legal notice to a producer at Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions on September 3. This occurred just days before “Musk” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, making headlines for the Musk documentary lawsuit unfolding around its release.
The letter accuses Gibney of approaching the project with a predetermined view of the billionaire. It said he did this rather than conducting an impartial investigation.
“This project did not begin as an inquiry. It began with a conclusion,” Spiro wrote.
Musk’s legal team also alleged that the filmmakers refused opportunities to fact-check claims with the billionaire. Additionally, they refused to fact-check with people close to him.
Lawyer challenges election claims
The legal warning focuses particularly on a section of the documentary concerning the 2024 US presidential election.
Spiro objected to what he described as an insinuation that Musk knew Donald Trump had won early on election night. He claimed this was because his Starlink satellite network had somehow been involved in influencing the result.
Musk’s lawyers maintain that the suggestion is false. Furthermore, they argue that potentially defamatory material does not have to take the form of an explicit accusation, which forms part of the Musk documentary lawsuit rationale.
The letter warned Jigsaw Productions and other companies involved in distributing the documentary that litigation was “reasonably anticipated.”
It also demanded that the filmmakers preserve footage, interview transcripts, research material and internal communications connected to the production. Importantly, these demands are central to the Musk documentary lawsuit proceedings.
Ashley St Clair raises concerns over Musk’s influence
The documentary features Ashley St Clair, a former partner of Musk and mother of one of his children. She speaks critically about his influence and use of X.
St Clair claimed Musk once told her that he needed “a legion of children before the civil war.”
She also expressed concern about the billionaire’s use of his social media platform. In addition, she worries about the potential real-world consequences of content amplified there.
“What he’s doing with this platform on X cannot be ignored,” she said.
St Clair argued that Musk was “causing deliberate division” which she feared could become “catastrophic” without greater scrutiny or regulation.
Musk has disputed claims made by St Clair in connection with the documentary.
Filmmakers defend investigation
Jigsaw Productions pushed back against the legal threat. They argued that journalists and filmmakers have a right to examine people who wield enormous public influence.
The company said scrutiny of powerful public figures was protected under the First Amendment and should be defended by Americans. This, they said, includes the associates of Elon Musk, who has proclaimed himself to be a “free speech absolutist.”
Gibney has also argued that the documentary raises broader questions about how society allowed powerful technology figures to accumulate enormous influence.
“While Musk is at the center of the film, we’re all implicated in this story,” the filmmaker said while discussing the project.
The Oscar-winning director has previously investigated powerful individuals and organisations in documentaries involving Enron, Scientology and US military interrogation practices.
Musk attacks film online
“Musk” premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, where it received a lengthy standing ovation and generally strong reviews.
The documentary charts Musk’s journey from his early technology ventures to his emergence as one of the world’s most powerful businessmen. It also examines his childhood, relationships, companies and political influence.
Musk has responded by attacking Gibney on X, describing the documentary as a “hit piece that misses”. He also criticised its four-hour length as boring. Therefore, the Musk documentary lawsuit has become central in public discussions about the film.
Despite the legal warning, the filmmakers have continued defending the documentary. As a result, they have set up a potentially significant battle over reputation, free speech and the scrutiny of one of the world’s most powerful technology figures. Notably, the Musk documentary lawsuit highlights ongoing controversies surrounding both the production and its subject.
