Ads promoting a documentary scrutinizing controversial billionaire Elon Musk faced rejection on TikTok and X but have now been allowed to run on YouTube and Meta’s social media platforms after initial obstacles. The trailer for the almost four-hour film titled “Musk” was released on Thursday in anticipation of its theatrical debut on Oct. 9.
According to a report by the Hollywood Reporter on Friday, indie distributor Bleecker Street encountered refusal from all four platforms when attempting to purchase ad space for the documentary. While YouTube, TikTok, and Meta cited “political content” as the reason for rejection, X, owned by Musk, did not provide any comments.
Following online backlash, YouTube confirmed on Saturday that ads for “Musk” are now live on the platform after being temporarily restricted by their system. Meta stated to CBC News on Monday that the ads were mistakenly rejected and have since been reinstated, without further explanation.
TikTok prohibits paid political ads, while Meta limits them in specific regions like the European Union. YouTube allows political ads with transparency disclosures, and X permits them in certain areas such as the U.S.
Musk’s involvement in politics gained significant attention when he supported Donald Trump’s re-election campaign in 2024 and later assumed a role in his administration managing the Department of Government Efficiency. Despite no longer being part of the administration, Musk remains a controversial and vocal figure.
The documentary delves into various aspects, including Musk’s alleged attempts to influence online discourse and the accusations of utilizing his Starlink satellites to impact the 2024 election improperly. While the film features snippets of Musk’s campaign activities, it remains unclear how this content falls under the platforms’ restrictions on campaign-related ads.