The rivalry between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a personal turn. What started as a professional disagreement has now turned into public jabs, with Altman questioning Musk’s happiness and suggesting that his actions stem from insecurity.
Their conflict dates back to their time as cofounders of OpenAI, where Musk was once a key supporter. However, tensions grew after Musk’s failed attempt to take over OpenAI in 2018, leading him to leave the company and focus on developing artificial intelligence (AI) within Tesla. Over the years, the feud has intensified, and recent developments have only fueled the fire.
Musk’s $97.4 Billion Offer for OpenAI Rejected
On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk led a group of investors in making an unsolicited $97.4 billion offer to acquire the nonprofit entity that controls OpenAI. Altman was quick to reject the proposal, responding with sarcasm in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
Musk, known for his sharp online remarks, retaliated by calling Altman a “swindler.” This was a reference to the nickname “Swindly Sam,” which Musk has used before to criticize the OpenAI chief.
Altman’s Personal Dig at Musk
In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Altman did not hold back when asked whether Musk’s bid came from a place of insecurity about his own AI company, xAI.
“Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity, I feel for the guy,” Altman said.
He went further, saying, “I don’t think he’s, like, a happy person. I feel for him.”
A History of Clashes
This is not the first time the two have exchanged heated words. Their ongoing tension was evident last month when OpenAI, along with SoftBank and Oracle, announced the Trump-backed $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project. The plan involved an initial $100 billion investment to build AI data centers across the U.S.
Following the announcement, Musk questioned whether the promised funds would actually materialize. His skepticism prompted a response from President Trump’s team and a dismissive stance from OpenAI. According to The Washington Post, Altman advised his employees to “simply ignore” Musk’s remarks.
Even before that, in January, Altman had taken a subtle dig at Musk, acknowledging his achievements but also hinting at his self-interest.
“This is great for the country. I realize what is great for the country isn’t always what’s optimal for your companies, but in your new role I hope you’ll mostly put [the U.S.] first,” Altman wrote on X.
Musk’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI
Musk’s discontent with OpenAI dates back to 2018 when he attempted to take over the company but was unsuccessful. Years later, in February 2024, he sued Altman and OpenAI, claiming they had abandoned the nonprofit’s original mission and were prioritizing profits.
Although Musk withdrew the lawsuit after speaking with Altman at a conference in March 2024, he later refiled it in August, signaling that the battle between the two tech leaders is far from over.
What’s Next in the Musk-Altman Feud?
With both men leading major AI efforts—Musk with xAI and Altman with OpenAI—it’s unlikely that their rivalry will settle anytime soon. As the AI industry grows, their competition, and public exchanges, may only become more intense.
For now, Altman’s latest comments about Musk’s insecurities add a new layer of personal drama to what was once just a corporate battle. Whether Musk will respond with another sharp remark remains to be seen.
The Information is Collected from Fortune and MSN.
