Documentary calls Musk 'extremely dangerous person'; billionaire fires back, calling it 'incredibly boring'

A nearly four-hour documentary examining Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has premiered — and its subject is furious about it.

The film, titled "Musk," runs three hours and 45 minutes and dissects its subject in detail. Musk himself has responded with outrage and sharp criticism.

According to the Guardian and Deadline on Thursday local time, the documentary premiered Sept. 8 at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on the Lido in Venice, Italy.

The film covers Musk's childhood trauma, his past remarks, allegations that he manipulated the algorithm on X, his role in the Trump administration and his personal relationships with women.

Ashley St. Clair, a former partner of Musk and a MAGA (Make America Great Again) influencer, appears in the documentary. She claims she was asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for $40 million and child support, on the condition that she not speak publicly about Musk.

Director Alex Gibney, who helmed the documentary, described Musk as an "extremely dangerous person."

"Even his friends, colleagues and critics were tremendously afraid to speak," Gibney said. "I talked to a huge number of people. Except for a few brave ones, everyone declined to answer."

The film includes interviews with Musk's father, Errol Musk, and his first wife, Justine Musk.

However, it does not include a direct response or explanation from Musk himself.

Gibney also used AI-generated images to recreate some of Musk's past remarks.

Musk reacted with fury.

"His film is incredibly boring," Musk wrote on X. "It's just a collection of people who have an axe to grind against me. He's a twisted old man who lost the plot long ago."

Musk also floated a conspiracy theory that the film was orchestrated by the Democratic Party and progressive billionaire George Soros, among others.

Musk has also signaled he may pursue legal action, according to reports.

Musk raises his profile ahead of US midterms

Meanwhile, Musk's presence is once again drawing attention ahead of the US midterm elections in November.

According to The New York Times, America PAC, the super PAC founded by Musk, launched political ads Tuesday local time targeting Democratic Senate candidates in Texas, Ohio and Iowa.

In all three states, Republican and Democratic candidates are locked in close races that could determine control of the Senate.

Musk is backing the Republican Party.

He is expected to spend at least $100 million to support Republican candidates in the midterms.

He also spent more than $25 million supporting President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2024 presidential election.

Musk went on to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, after Trump's second administration took office, but his relationship with Trump deteriorated to the point of public clashes. However, the two are reported to have recently mended their relationship.

yul@heraldcorp.com