Musk lays out his souring relationship with OpenAI in a second day of testimony
Musk lays out his souring relationship with OpenAI in a second day of testimony
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/29/tech/musk-openai-altman-lawsuit-testimony-day-two
Publish Date: 2026-04-29 11:31:00
Source Domain: edition.cnn.com
Oakland, Calif. —
Elon Musk sparred with OpenAI’s attorney under cross examination on the second day of his testimony, as lawyers for both sides zeroed in on his souring relationship with the organization that kicked off the AI race.
Musk claims OpenAI betrayed its initial nonprofit mission when it changed its corporate structure; OpenAI, for its part, claims Musk’s suit is meant to derail its position as a competitor to his own artificial intelligence company, xAI.
Musk’s attorney presented previous communications between the billionaire and OpenAI’s leaders, aiming to support allegations that the ChatGPT maker misled him. And OpenAI’s attorney, William Savitt grilled Musk on his contributions to the company and whether it was his idea for OpenAI to pursue profits. The exchanges grew tense at times, with Musk being asked by Savitt to stick to “yes” or “no” answers.
Musk will take the stand for a third-straight day on Thursday. OpenAI’s attorneys will finish cross-examination, and Musk’s attorney will then ask a second round of questions.
The trial comes as OpenAI is planning what could be a blockbuster IPO – and potentially a cash infusion that could help the company cement its early lead in a global race to dominate AI.
Much of the early questioning on Wednesday focused on early internal emails between Musk and OpenAI executives over possible plans to include a for-profit structure.
Musk said he was fine with a for-profit “as long as it was a subsidiary of the nonprofit.”
“What you can’t have is the for-profit become the main event, and that’s what we have here,” he told the court.
Musk was questioned about his direction of the head of his family office, Jared Birchall, to register a…
