Elon Musk sues Sam Altman and OpenAI over alleged breach of non-profit mission

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

• Elon Musk and Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a non-profit AI research company with the mission to benefit humanity.
• Musk invested at least $38 million in OpenAI between 2016 and 2020, which he claims was an investment, not a tax-deductible donation.
• Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018 after a failed bid to take control of the company and stopped providing funding.
• OpenAI restructured in 2019, creating a for-profit subsidiary while retaining a non-profit arm that technically oversees the company.
• Microsoft became OpenAI’s largest investor, committing $13 billion in 2023, with its stake now valued at approximately $135 billion.
• OpenAI is preparing for an IPO with a valuation of around $1 trillion, but Musk’s lawsuit could complicate this plan.
• Musk’s lawsuit seeks the removal of Altman and Greg Brockman, reversal of OpenAI’s for-profit structure, and $134 billion in damages (later reduced from $150 billion).
• The trial began on April 28, 2026, in Oakland, California, with jury selection and opening statements.
• Musk testified that he believed OpenAI’s for-profit arm should be a 'small adjunct' to the non-profit, not the dominant entity.
• OpenAI’s lead attorney, William Savitt, argued that Musk was aware of plans to create a for-profit entity and left OpenAI after failing to gain control.
• Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing the trial and has warned both parties to minimize social media posts during proceedings.
• Musk called Altman 'Scam Altman' in social media posts before the trial, which Judge Gonzalez Rogers addressed in court.
• Key witnesses expected to testify include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member and mother to four of Musk’s children.