Musk Testifies in OpenAI Lawsuit, Accuses Leaders of 'Looting' Charity
Musk testified in an Oakland trial that OpenAI's leaders betrayed its nonprofit mission, seeking roughly $100–$150 billion and return of 'ill-gotten gains' to charity.
TechCrunchAt his OpenAI trial, Musk relitigates an old friendship | TechCrunch
Business InsiderElon Musk points to meetings with Barack Obama and Larry Page as proof he's serious about AI risks
The VergeElon Musk appeared more petty than prepared
The AtlanticSam Altman and Elon Musk Sure Dislike Each Other
Overview
Elon Musk testified on Tuesday in federal court in Oakland that OpenAI’s leaders betrayed the nonprofit mission and that “it’s not okay to loot a charity,” court records show.
Musk said he cofounded OpenAI in 2015 to counter Google after a dispute with Larry Page and a meeting with Barack Obama, and he testified he donated about $38 million.
OpenAI has called the lawsuit baseless and said it agreed in 2017 on a for-profit shift, while its lawyers said Musk wanted full control and left after failing to get it, according to court filings.
Musk seeks roughly $100 billion to $150 billion in damages and wants “all ill-gotten gains” returned; Microsoft is reported to hold roughly a 26 to 27 percent stake, and a nine-person jury will hear the roughly three-week trial.
A verdict is expected in late May, and the judge admonished Musk over social media use and urged restraint, with Musk and Altman agreeing to minimize posts during the trial, court proceedings show.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an adversarial clash by foregrounding dramatic moments and conflict. They prominently feature charged courtroom quotes (e.g., 'stole a charity'), which are source content, while editorial choices like opening with 'a courtroom brawl', using terms such as 'ballooned in value', and sequencing Musk’s theatrics early emphasize confrontation.