Alex Gibney compares Elon Musk to Elizabeth Holmes
Filmmaker says Musk and Holmes share a "confidence man" trait, using conviction to persuade despite falsehoods.
Reuters/A24 Elon Musk and Elizabeth Holmes (Photo via Business Insider)
Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney has identified a shared trait between Elon Musk and Elizabeth Holmes, describing their ability to influence others as a "superpower." In comments reported by Business Insider on Nov. 7, 2026, the director suggested that both figures utilized a "force of confidence" to persuade people to accept claims that were known to be false.
Gibney, who has produced documentaries on both individuals, characterized this behavior as that of a "confidence man." He noted that this quality allowed them to maintain narratives that sometimes superseded the practical feasibility of their business ventures.
The filmmaker previously directed the 2019 documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, which explored the rise and fall of Holmes and her health technology company, Theranos. Holmes is currently serving a prison sentence for defrauding investors.
Gibney's latest project, a nearly four-hour documentary titled Musk, examines the career of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. The film was released for digital purchase on Nov. 6, 2026.