Elon Musk takes the stand in high-profile trial against OpenAI

The Verge / 4/29/2026

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Key Points

  • Elon Musk has begun testimony in a high-profile trial he filed against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman.
  • Musk and the executives were part of OpenAI’s initial founding team, with Musk reportedly investing up to $38 million early on before their relationship deteriorated.
  • The dispute centers on disagreements over OpenAI’s structure and mission, including whether OpenAI should be integrated with Tesla.
  • After leaving OpenAI, Musk later founded xAI, which is now owned by Musk’s SpaceX and competes directly with OpenAI.
  • Musk has previously brought multiple lawsuits against OpenAI in recent years, underscoring the ongoing legal and competitive tension between the parties.
Elon Musk on a red and beige cartoon background.

Elon Musk officially began his testimony in the trial he has brought against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and company president Greg Brockman.

The three were on the initial founding team of OpenAI, with Musk investing up to $38 million early on before the co-founders' relationship soured over disagreements over company structure and mission, including whether or not OpenAI should be folded into Musk-owned Tesla. Musk walked away and, years later, founded xAI - his own direct competitor to OpenAI, which is now owned by Musk's SpaceX.

In recent years, Musk has filed no less than four different lawsuits against OpenAI, many of which have since been …

Read the full story at The Verge.