Story perspectives

Gibney’s “Musk” Premieres at Venice as Musk Skips

9/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Alex Gibney premieres his documentary “Musk” at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.
Elon Musk declined to participate, calling the film a “hit piece.”
Gibney says Musk’s shift toward U.S. President Donald Trump stems from reliance on federal money and investigations.
Musk reportedly funneled more than $290 million into President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, authored by Justice Kennedy, unleashed unlimited corporate political spending and reshaped election financing. By 2020, corporate contributions topped $1.5 billion, with the Trump campaign receiving $150 million from tech magnates like Elon Musk. Gibney’s 2024 documentary ‘Musk’ at Venice Film Festival mirrors the Citizens United legacy, exposing Musk’s $290 million funnel into Donald Trump’s 2024 bid. The precedent suggests future tech CEOs may increasingly weaponize campaign finance, prompting calls for legislative reforms to curb corporate influence.

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Story summary

Alex Gibney premieres his documentary “Musk” at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.
Elon Musk declined to participate, calling the film a “hit piece.”
Gibney says Musk’s shift toward U.S. President Donald Trump stems from reliance on federal money and investigations.
Musk reportedly funneled more than $290 million into President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

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