Elon Musk has re-ignited a war with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman after posting a previous tweet 2016 wherein Altman rails against Donald Trump.
Post re-surfaced in the lead-up to Musk’s legal fight with OpenAI and its leaders, the conflict between these spheres gained new momentum. In the 2016 tweet, Altman wrote that he was voting against Trump because he viewed the former president as threatening America’s values. Musk reposted it, prompting Altman to reply with a 2022 tweet referencing Musk’s remarks suggesting Trump should “hang up his hat.” Altman admitted that both may have misjudged the political landscape but emphasized the different time frames of their comments.
Tensions escalate between Musk and openAI over corporate direction
The legal dispute is a result of Musk’s failed bid to purchases OpenAI earlier this year, for $97.4 billion. OpenAI rejected its overture and Musk has since continued to doubt Altman’s leadership and where the company is headed. Musk’s legal team said OpenAI’s board did not scrutinize the bid, which they believe was an opportunity that was wasted. With this backdrop Musk remains vocal in his criticism of the structure of OpenAI especially this aspect of the change like crying from not for profit to for profit. Even though OpenAI later gave up that transition, Musk has not backed down. His legal team argues that the relationship between the nonprofit and the for-profit arm remains unclear, and has implications for potential conflicts of interest.
OpenAI dismisses Musk lawsuit while Altman focuses on AI policy
OpenAI has responded by calling Musk’s lawsuit baseless and aiming to damage its reputation and business relationships. The company also stated that Musk’s actions are designed to stall its progress. A federal court in Oakland has scheduled the trial for March 2026, setting the stage for a significant legal contest involving AI policy and organizational governance.
In parallel with the legal dispute, Altman addressed lawmakers on Capitol Hill, urging caution with AI regulation. He emphasized that the U.S. must avoid rules that could slow down its AI leadership. Altman warned that while the U.S. may currently lead in AI development, the gap with China is not wide, and sensible regulation is necessary to stay ahead.