TikTok Bans Account for Alex Gibney’s Musk Documentary

TikTok has banned the social media account for Alex Gibney’s documentary about Elon Musk, shortly before the film’s wider release.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The film’s distributor, Bleecker Street, was told Friday afternoon that a “permanent suspension” was imminent, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bleecker Street had not responded to The Verge’s request for comment.

TikTok has no official affiliation with Musk. But Larry Ellison, a part owner of TikTok, appears in the film in a text message offering to help Musk fund his purchase of Twitter.

Last month, YouTube, Meta, X, and TikTok faced backlash for rejecting advertisements for the film. YouTube and Google reversed course, calling their decision an “error.” TikTok and X have not changed their stance, and neither platform has allowed paid advertisements for the documentary.

The account’s removal marks an escalation. Shortly before it was taken down, the account posted that people should see the movie “before it gets shut down.”