The long-standing rivalry between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has escalated into a public legal battle, with both tech titans trading barbs on social media. A California judge has ruled that Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI will proceed to trial in April, a development Altman appears to be eagerly anticipating.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Altman expressed excitement about deposing Elon Musk in court, calling the upcoming trial “Christmas in April.”
- Musk’s lawsuit accuses OpenAI of abandoning its nonprofit mission, while OpenAI alleges Musk’s company, xAI, destroyed evidence.
- The trial is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2026.
Legal Battles Heat Up
Elon Musk initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman in February 2024, alleging that the company misled him into believing it would remain a nonprofit. Musk, one of OpenAI’s founders, claims he contributed $38 million with the understanding that the organization would adhere to its original mission. Despite attempts by OpenAI’s attorneys to dismiss the case, a judge determined in January that sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a jury trial.
Accusations Fly on Social Media
Altman has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his anticipation for the legal proceedings. He stated he is “really excited to get Elon under oath in a few months,” framing the trial as “Christmas in April.” This sentiment was amplified by reposting claims from OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, who alleged that Musk’s AI company, xAI, produced minimal substantive documents during discovery and relied on disappearing messaging apps. Altman echoed Kwon’s concerns by reposting the word “concerning,” a phrase often used by Musk.
A History of Public Feuds
The legal disputes are a continuation of a public feud that has intensified over the past year. Previously, Musk criticized ChatGPT, citing concerns about its potential mental health risks. Altman countered by questioning the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot system and pointing to controversies surrounding Musk’s xAI chatbot, Grok, which faced scrutiny for inappropriate user requests.
High Stakes Ahead
With Musk seeking damages estimated between $79 billion and $134 billion, the upcoming trial holds significant implications for both OpenAI and Musk. The trial is officially slated to commence on April 27, 2026, with the tech world watching closely to see how this high-profile legal confrontation unfolds.
