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Elon Musk to testify again in OpenAI lawsuit trial

Published Wednesday, April 29, 2026 · Updated May 8

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Media Analysis

AI synthesis

Elon Musk is testifying in a lawsuit against OpenAI in Oakland, California, alleging the company abandoned its founding non-profit mission for profit. OpenAI counters that Musk is motivated by a desire for control and bitterness. Key testimonies from Musk, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, and former board member Shivon Zilis have detailed the company's history, Musk's past funding decisions, and his attempts to influence its direction.

What We Know — Key Points

  • Elon Musk's lawsuit alleges OpenAI abandoned its founding mission to be a responsible steward of AI for humanity in pursuit of profits, while OpenAI contends Musk is motivated by a desire for control and bitterness.
  • Musk testified for multiple days, including cross-examination, and struggled to explain the difference between his for-profit AI ventures and OpenAI's model.
  • Musk contacted OpenAI President Greg Brockman to discuss a settlement two days before the trial, seeking leadership changes and $150 billion in damages.
  • OpenAI President Greg Brockman testified that Musk announced he would withhold funding from OpenAI in a 2017 meeting.
  • Former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis testified regarding Musk's lawsuit, OpenAI's transition to a for-profit company, and that Musk offered Sam Altman a board seat at Tesla during corporate structure negotiations around 2017-2018.
  • The trial is presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.

What Is Claimed — Perspectives

  • Channel News AsiaCenter

    Elon Musk is set to return to the witness stand in a high-stakes trial, alleging OpenAI abandoned its founding mission to be a responsible steward of AI for humanity in pursuit of profits. The lawsuit highlights the deep rupture between Musk and OpenAI's leadership over the company's direction and structure. OpenAI contends Musk is motivated by a desire for control and bitterness over their success. Additionally, Musk contacted OpenAI President Greg Brockman to discuss a settlement two days before their trial began in Oakland federal court, seeking leadership changes and $150 billion in damages.

  • CNBCCenter

    CNBC frames the trial as a significant legal battle between tech industry titans with major implications for OpenAI's future and commercialization, noting Musk's testimony dominated the first week. The outlet also provided a detailed account of Shivon Zilis's testimony, focusing on the intricate corporate negotiations and talent dynamics between Elon Musk and OpenAI's founders, including Musk's offer of a Tesla board seat to Sam Altman.

  • The HinduCenter-Left

    The Hindu reports that Elon Musk was questioned for a third day in his California trial against OpenAI, where he struggled to explain the difference between his for-profit AI ventures and OpenAI's model.

  • BBC NewsCenter

    BBC News reports on court testimony from OpenAI's president, Greg Brockman, regarding Elon Musk's past attempts to control the company and his subsequent lawsuit, including Brockman's testimony that Musk announced he would withhold funding in 2017. Former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis also testified regarding Musk's lawsuit and OpenAI's transition to a for-profit company. Additionally, the BBC highlights the judge's no-nonsense approach and impartiality in presiding over the high-profile tech litigation.

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