Elon Musk's lawyer has threatened defamation litigation against Alex Gibney and Jigsaw Productions over a passage in Gibney's forthcoming documentary in which former MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair recounts text messages from Musk on Oct. 6, 2024 saying he was "feeling more optimistic" about Trump because "tomorrow we unleash the anomaly in the matrix" and that he would tap "'Lasers' from space," adding "I have over 10 thousand lasers in space right now." The lawyer argues the film promotes a debunked conspiracy that SpaceX's Starlink satellites manipulated votes, noting election officials and cybersecurity researchers found no such connection and pointing out that Starlink uses laser inter‑satellite links. St. Clair's texts have been authenticated; she dismissed Musk's legal threats as frivolous. Jigsaw invoked First Amendment protections and criticized attempts to chill debate.
Gibney's nearly four‑hour documentary, which the filmmakers say he made after Musk declined to be interviewed, uses a deepfake of Musk and interviews with ex‑family members, former partners and critics to argue Musk is a self‑mythologizer and "stock pumper" who exaggerated promises to amass power and wealth. Musk has called the film a "hit piece." Legal experts note a defamation suit would require proving actual malice - showing Gibney knew falsity or acted with reckless disregard - a demanding standard that generally protects critical examinations of powerful public figures.
Summary generated by AI from the linked article. hn.today is not affiliated with Hacker News or Y Combinator.
Y Combinator's PAC has donated $117,647 to 66 federal campaigns, nearly half supporting Republicans. The PAC, led by YC executives, aims to influence the 2026 election, especially candidates involved in AI and tech policy. (sf.gazetteer.co)
The UK government is urging citizens to prepare for potential wartime disruptions, including stockpiling supplies and strengthening civic resilience. Military leaders warn that threats from Russia make this the most dangerous period in decades, despite the low likelihood of invasion. (bbc.com)
A humorous concept describes creating a 'Shit Machine' that rains human waste, claiming it could solve major global problems like hunger and climate change. It also mentions developing an app to identify the 'shit' produced by the machine, emphasizing the absurdity and satire of technological innovation for such a gross purpose. (mcsweeneys.net)
The EU Kids Act draft legislation may require age verification for single-player games that use online platforms like Steam for updates or distribution. The law's broad definition of online games could impact many digital-only titles, unless the wording is clarified before enactment. (rockpapershotgun.com)
Donald Trump announced a ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, accusing them of publishing fake news. The move raises questions about free press rights and government restrictions on media. (time.com)
Donald Trump announced he is banning CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House events. The move is part of his broader stance on media outlets he considers unfriendly. (reuters.com)
Today's best Hacker News stories, summarized and screenshotted, one email a day.