TikTok permanently suspends 'Musk' documentary account as film expands; distributor appeals

Left · 2TikTok permanently suspended the account for the documentary "Musk" on Friday 16 October, just as the film expanded to wide release. 1 2 Left · 1Distributor Bleecker Street was told on Friday afternoon that a "permanent suspension" was coming, and a spokesperson confirmed this and noted "disappointment" in the timing. 2 Left · 1The company says it is appealing; the Hollywood Reporter notes that even a reversal could be costly if it does not come during a weekend when many people are likely to see the film, and that Bleecker Street had planned to spend ad money boosting posts. 2

Left · 1According to the Hollywood Reporter, TikTok cited political content that violates its policies; a message to Bleecker Street noted a "level of severity with political-policy violations" and said "some violations trigger immediate suspension", but it was unclear which violations were meant. 2 Left · 1Shortly before the suspension, Bleecker Street had posted two pieces of content, including an intermission ad suggesting viewers delete their X account and "chat about a fascist hellscape", and a post urging people to see the film "before it gets shut down". 2 Left · 2TikTok did not immediately respond to either outlet's request for comment. 2 1

Left · 2Directed by Alex Gibney, who spent more than three years investigating, the nearly four-hour film examines Elon Musk's actions and companies, including his political activities with DOGE and his acquisition of Twitter. 2 1 Left · 2The film opened in New York and Los Angeles on 9 October, grossing about $68,900 (Variety) or $70,000 (Hollywood Reporter) from four theatres, then expanded to 472 North American theatres on Friday; Variety reports about $120,000 on Friday and an expected $385,000 by Sunday, per rival studios' estimates. 1 2 Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter says TikTok has resisted Musk-related content more than rivals, declining to accept an ad for the trailer even after Meta and Google/YouTube reversed their positions, while X would not accept any advertising for the film. 2

Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter notes TikTok has no official affiliation with Musk but is partly owned by Larry Ellison, who appears in the film; his son David is set to release the HBO-financed film on the platform in 2027. 2 Left · 1Variety adds that the film was already contentious: Gibney told the New York Times Universal Pictures wavered over its overseas release, and Musk called it a "hit piece" and said Gibney "has ZERO integrity". 1