New Documentary 'Musk' Goes Inside the Billionaire's Tech and Political Empire

By Billy Briefman · September 11, 2026 · 2 min read read

From DOGE to Space Lasers, Alex Gibney Peels Back the Many Layers of Elon Musk Director Alex Gibney explores the complex public persona and business ventures of billionaire Elon Musk in his latest...

From DOGE to Space Lasers, Alex Gibney Peels Back the Many Layers of Elon Musk

Director Alex Gibney explores the complex public persona and business ventures of billionaire Elon Musk in his latest documentary, Musk, which analyzes the entrepreneur’s influence across technology, politics, and global infrastructure.

Originally reported by NPR News. NPR News

The film investigates the various facets of the entrepreneur's life, ranging from his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to his ambitions in space exploration. According to NPR News, Gibney utilizes his signature investigative style to analyze Musk’s reach.

Investigating the Musk Mythos

Gibney’s documentary attempts to peel back the layers of a figure who often dominates headlines through social media and high-stakes engineering projects. The film addresses Musk’s leadership at companies like Tesla and SpaceX while examining his recent shifts into the political arena. According to the report, the documentary does not shy away from the controversies surrounding Musk’s public statements and his management style.

The narrative follows Musk’s trajectory from a tech innovator to a polarizing figure in American discourse. According to NPR News, the film provides a critical look at the "space lasers" and other futuristic concepts Musk frequently promotes, questioning the reality behind the rhetoric.

A Critical Lens on Tech Power

By focusing on the intersection of private wealth and public policy, Gibney highlights the significant power Musk wields over modern communication and transportation. The documentary features interviews and archival footage to construct a profile of a man who views himself as a savior of humanity, even as his actions draw intense scrutiny.

According to the reporting, the film serves as a case study on how individual billionaires can bypass traditional institutional checks. Gibney examines the implications of Musk’s control over platforms like X and his role in government-adjacent initiatives like DOGE.

This article is based on reporting originally published by NPR News. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.