OpenAI to Musk: This lawsuit is about power, not principles
With trial 18 days away, OpenAI calls Musk's case a rivalry play — ego, jealousy, and competitive sabotage dressed up as ethics.

The OpenAI vs. Elon Musk trial kicks off April 27 in Oakland, and both sides are sharpening their knives. OpenAI's latest filing calls the suit "nothing more than a harassment campaign driven by ego, jealousy, and a desire to slow down a competitor."
Musk recently updated his lawsuit to redirect any potential $150 billion in damages to OpenAI's nonprofit arm — a move OpenAI's strategy chief Jason Kwon dismissed as a last-minute PR stunt to "save face." OpenAI also wrote to California and Delaware AGs urging an investigation into what it calls Musk's anti-competitive attacks on the company.
Musk's original claim: OpenAI deceived him into donating $38 million with promises it would stay a nonprofit. OpenAI's counter: the case has always been about Elon wanting more power and money — and slowing a rival while building xAI.
Why it matters: With a $150B damages claim and Sam Altman's job reportedly on the line, this trial could reshape AI's power structure — whoever wins controls the nonprofit-vs-profit narrative.
Sources
- Elon Musk seeks removal of Sam Altman, OpenAI calls lawsuit 'baseless' startupnews.fyi
- Musk updates OpenAI lawsuit to redirect potential $150B in damages to the nonprofit the-decoder.com
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