The confrontation between Elon Musk and Sam Altman — two of the most powerful figures in the artificial intelligence industry — is escalating into a legal battle that could shake OpenAI and the entire AI sector.
Tensions became apparent after President Trump's second inauguration, when Musk — who spent nearly $290 million supporting the campaign — was not treated like other “tech giants.”
Just days later, President Trump announced a $500 billion AI project called Stargate in partnership with OpenAI, leaving Musk sidelined.
In a statement to the press, President Trump bluntly stated that Musk “doesn't like one of the people in the deal,” referring to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Shortly after, Musk took to the platform X to call Altman a “con man” and a “liar,” while also questioning the financial viability of the Stargate project.
⚖️ From Co-founders to Rivals
Elon Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI in 2015, contributing approximately $38 million and helping attract talent to the project when it still operated as a non-profit.
However, after Altman took the helm and OpenAI pivoted to a for-profit model, Musk left the board in 2018.
Musk claims he was “misled” and accuses OpenAI of betraying its original mission — developing AI for the benefit of humanity.
Musk has now filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, Altman, co-founder Greg Brockman, and major investor Microsoft.
In the lawsuit, Musk demands:
- Return of up to $150 billion in allegedly ill-gotten profits
- The firing of Altman and Brockman
- Abolishment of the for-profit operating model
OpenAI rejects all allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and a pressure campaign.
🤝 Politics, Power, and the Relationship with President Trump
A key factor in the conflict lies in the political relationship.
The Kushner family — specifically Joshua Kushner — has invested over $2 billion in OpenAI through Thrive Capital.
After Musk had a period of disagreement with President Trump in 2025, Altman quickly appeared alongside the President at various events, including a trip to the UK and AI policy discussions.
Observers believe the rivalry between Musk and Altman is not just about technology, but also a race for influence within the inner circles of power.
🧠 Two Contrasting Styles
Industry sources describe Musk as a hands-on product builder, focused on engineering with little regard for appearances.
Meanwhile, Altman is seen as a master connector, fundraiser, and team builder — a role similar to that of Steve Jobs in the past.
Musk founded his own AI company, xAI, in 2023, with the goal of creating a “maximum truth-seeking” system to compete directly with OpenAI.
⚠️ The Battle That Could Change the AI Industry
The case is expected to be heard in federal court in Oakland, California, in the near future.
Experts suggest the outcome could significantly impact the ownership structure, development direction, and investor confidence in OpenAI — a company currently valued at over $850 billion with approximately 900 million weekly users.
