Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney has released a nearly four-hour documentary titled NBC News, offering a comprehensive and critical look at the rise of tech billionaire Elon Musk to corporate and political prominence. The film, which opened in theaters in Los Angeles and New York, draws on more than three years of research, archival footage, and newly public audio and video recordings involving some of Musk’s closest associates.
Musk, who did not participate in the documentary, has strongly criticized the project. According to NBC News, Musk posted on X calling the film a "hit piece" and stating that the director has "zero integrity." Representatives for Musk, Tesla, and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment regarding the film’s contents.
Damning Revelations From Associates and Insiders
While public figures often face external criticism, the documentary features unflattering statements and disclosures from individuals who work or have worked alongside Musk. NBC News reports that the film includes a videotaped deposition from high-ranking Tesla engineer Ashok Elluswamy acknowledging that a 2016 promotional video about the company’s self-driving capabilities did not accurately represent the technology at the time. The documentary also incorporates audio recordings of Jared Birchall, who manages Musk’s personal matters, discussing child support arrangements.
The film explores various facets of Musk’s career, including the expansion of SpaceX and Tesla, his personal life, and his growing political footprint. Producer Jessie Deeter noted at a screening during the Mill Valley Film Festival that the film runs nearly four hours, featuring a 10-minute intermission. The narrative touches upon Musk’s 2021 hosting appearance on "Saturday Night Live," his acquisition of Twitter, and his alignment with political figures.
Political Alignments and Human Cost Debates
The documentary examines Musk’s political trajectory, highlighting both historical interactions with lawmakers such as former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, as well as his recent role as a major donor to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. According to NBC News, the film features a screening moment where audience members applauded a former federal employee who resigned rather than cooperate with the Department of Government Efficiency.
The film also addresses controversial policy impacts, including USAID cuts. Former USAID administrator Samantha Power appears in the documentary to discuss how funding freezes affected global food programs, linking policy decisions to projected humanitarian consequences. At the same time, the documentary contrasts these earthly policy struggles with Musk’s stated ambitions regarding space exploration and colonization of Mars.
Critical Reception and Stylistic Choices
Critics have noted Gibney’s aggressive stylistic approach. According to The Free Press, the director utilized an animated artificial intelligence version of Musk to open the film after the billionaire declined to be interviewed. The documentary spans multiple genres, incorporating elements of a political thriller, a science fiction narrative, and corporate drama, alongside serious legal and safety examinations of Tesla’s driver-assistance software.
As public opinion remains divided over Musk’s influence and corporate leadership, the documentary serves as a detailed compilation of his controversies, legal challenges, and political maneuvers. While supporters view his ventures as groundbreaking technological leaps, Gibney’s film underscores growing institutional and public scrutiny regarding the concentration of power in private hands.