Elon Musk vs OpenAI: Last-Minute Settlement Text Revealed Ahead of High-Stakes Trial
Court filings show Musk’s warning to Greg Brockman and Sam Altman as legal battle over OpenAI’s nonprofit roots and $850B valuation intensifies
Elon Musk vs OpenAI: Last-Minute Settlement Text Revealed Ahead of High-Stakes Trial.Just before his high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI was set to go to trial, Elon Musk reached out privately to Greg Brockman in an apparent attempt to explore a settlement, according to a recent court filing.
Musk’s Last-Minute Settlement Message
The filing reveals that Musk contacted Brockman two days before proceedings began, asking whether a resolution could be reached. Brockman reportedly suggested that both parties drop their claims, but Musk responded with a stark warning, implying reputational consequences for Brockman and Sam Altman if the case continued.
Background of the Lawsuit
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, filed the lawsuit in 2024 against the organization, Brockman, and Altman. He alleges that the company abandoned its original nonprofit mission and shifted toward profit-driven goals, contrary to its founding principles.
Trial Developments and Evidence Dispute
The trial began last week in federal court in Oakland, California. OpenAI’s legal team attempted to introduce Musk’s text message as evidence, arguing it demonstrated bias and a competitive motive behind the lawsuit. However, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declined to admit the message into evidence.
Musk’s Testimony and Claims
Musk took the stand during the trial’s first week, where he spoke extensively about OpenAI’s origins and accused Altman and Brockman of diverting the company from its charitable purpose. He also addressed his own AI venture, xAI, which he launched after leaving OpenAI’s board in 2018. The company was later merged with SpaceX in a deal reportedly valuing xAI at $250 billion.
OpenAI’s Growth and Commercial Shift
Following Musk’s departure, OpenAI introduced a for-profit arm in 2018. The company’s valuation surged after the release of ChatGPT in 2022, with private investors now valuing it at over $850 billion. Musk claims that his early contributions—estimated at $38 million—were used in ways that contradict the organization’s nonprofit commitments.
Ongoing Court Proceedings
OpenAI has dismissed Musk’s allegations as unfounded. The trial continues, with Brockman recently taking the stand for extended testimony, which is expected to carry on as proceedings move forward.
