Elon Musk's Ex-Wife Claims He Called Himself the 'Alpha' and Reportedly Brought Up 'Gaslighting' in Film

Elon Musk's first wife, Justine Musk, has alleged that he told her 'I am the alpha in this relationship' during their wedding dance, in Alex Gibney's new documentary Musk, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival on 8 September.

Justine, who was married to Musk from 2000 to 2008, also says she learned the term 'gaslighting' through their relationship and describes feeling insignificant and frequently criticised.

Her account is among the documentary's most personal examinations of Musk's private life. The claims are presented as Justine's recollections and have not been independently established as fact. Musk did not participate in the film.

For context, the couple had six children together. Their first child, Nevada, died at 10 weeks old from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Justine disputes Musk's account of who was holding the baby when he died, saying she was the one holding Nevada, not him.

Elon Musk's Ex-Wife Recalls Wedding Claim

'I learned the term 'gaslighting' through my relationship with Elon,' Justine says in Musk, according to reporting on the film's Venice premiere. She says Musk made her feel 'insignificant' and spoke to her in a way that resembled an employer addressing an employee rather than a husband speaking to a partner.

The comment is notable because Justine describes it as an early indication of the power dynamic she says developed during their marriage. She further alleges that he 'was constantly remarking on the ways he found me lacking.'

Justine had previously written publicly about the relationship, including in a 2010 Marie Claire essay, and discussed aspects of her experience in a 2017 TED Talk.

The documentary gives those earlier reflections a more immediate setting, with Gibney using interviews with former partners, family members and associates to chart Musk's rise and influence.

Justine Musk Addresses Family Pain

After Nevada's death, Justine and Musk had five more children. Their twins, Vivian and Griffin, were born in 2004, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon and Damian. The documentary also addresses Musk's estrangement from Vivian, who is transgender.

Justine alleges that Musk removed Vivian from his health insurance after she came out as transgender. She adds that Musk asked her to tell Vivian, 'I'll always love her.' The allegations remain Justine's account and have not been independently established.

Musk has previously said that he considers Vivian to have been 'killed' by what he calls the 'woke mind virus'. The documentary revisits his comments about Vivian and the breakdown in their relationship.

Despite the allegations, Musk has also spoken positively about Justine in public. On 1 January 2026, Musk wrote on X that 'Justine is an amazing woman.'

The film's broader portrait is plainly not designed as a friendly one. Its teaser includes voices calling Musk 'possibly the greatest living inventor' and 'a man who has lost his mind', a contrast which gives the project its central tension.

Gibney's film is due for a U.S. theatrical release through Bleecker Street on 16 October.

Musk dismissed the project as 'a hit piece' when its production became public in 2023. Gibney responded on X, 'How would you know?' Following the Venice premiere, Musk again attacked Gibney and the film, calling the director someone with 'zero integrity' and describing the documentary as a 'hit piece.'

Musk also includes interviews with Musk's father Errol Musk, former partner Ashley St Clair and Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard.

The film will continue its festival run before its October cinema release, with Justine's allegations forming a significant part of its examination of Musk's personal life.