24 days ago
TechCrunch Oct 17, 2026

TikTok says it’s restored ‘Musk’ documentary advertising account

TikTok recently reinstated the advertising account for the documentary "Musk," directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, following an earlier notification that the account had been permanently suspended. The platform initially cited the documentary's political content as the reason for the ban, which was reported by The Hollywood Reporter and triggered concerns about censorship. TikTok later clarified that the suspension resulted from an error and restored the account.

The documentary, which runs four hours and explores the life and influence of Elon Musk, has faced pushback from multiple social media platforms. Meta and YouTube initially rejected ads promoting the film's trailer, though both eventually allowed the advertisements after stating these decisions were mistakes. Meanwhile, X, Elon Musk’s own social network, has refused to run ads for the film.

The film’s distribution has also encountered uncertainty, as Universal, the international distributor, hesitated before deciding to proceed with releasing "Musk" worldwide. The documentary debuted in a limited release in just four theaters before expanding to a broader rollout. It is scheduled to be available for streaming on HBO next year, a platform now under the control of Paramount/Skydance, led by David Ellison, whose father Larry Ellison partially owns TikTok’s U.S. operations.

The controversy surrounding the documentary's advertising touches on broader tensions involving high-profile tech figures and political influences. Both Musk and Larry Ellison have been significant supporters of former President Donald Trump, adding layers of complexity to how platforms are handling promotional content related to the film. As "Musk" continues to reach audiences, the debate over content moderation and political bias on social media remains a prominent issue.

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