Photo — Elon Musk: Own work (CC BY 3.0) · Sam Altman: https://www.flickr.com/photos/techcrunch/36522988343/ (CC BY 2.0)
The Short Version
Elon Musk and Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a non-profit AI research lab. After Musk departed in 2018 following internal power struggles, OpenAI created a for-profit entity and launched ChatGPT. Musk filed suit against Altman and OpenAI in 2024, alleging breach of charitable trust and seeking to strip for-profit assets and oust Altman. A California jury dismissed Musk's lawsuit on statute of limitations grounds in May 2026, though Musk promised to appeal and the two continue to trade public insults on social media.
Latest Development
Public Clash on X Following Apple Lawsuit
After Apple files a lawsuit against OpenAI, Musk publicly attacks Altman on X using the name 'Scam Altman', prompting Altman to respond by questioning SpaceX's space data center plans.
July 12, 2026 · Public statement
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
July 12, 2026
Public Clash on X Following Apple Lawsuit
Public statementAfter Apple files a lawsuit against OpenAI, Musk publicly attacks Altman on X using the name 'Scam Altman', prompting Altman to respond by questioning SpaceX's space data center plans.
Source ↗May 18, 2026
Jury Dismisses Musk's Claims
Verified eventA nine-person advisory jury rules that Musk waited too long to file his lawsuit, prompting Judge Gonzalez Rogers to toss out all claims. Musk's legal team announces plans to appeal.
Source ↗April 28, 2026
Federal Trial Begins in Oakland
Verified eventThe civil trial Musk v. Altman opens in federal court in Oakland, California, under Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, with both Musk and Altman testifying about the early history and governance of OpenAI.
Source ↗August 5, 2024
Musk Files Federal Lawsuit Against Altman and OpenAI
Legal filingMusk files a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Altman, Greg Brockman, and OpenAI entities, alleging breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment.
Source ↗2018
Musk Departs OpenAI Board
Verified eventMusk leaves OpenAI's board following internal leadership disagreements over control, funding, and proposed integration into Tesla.
Source ↗2015
OpenAI Co-Founded as Non-Profit
Verified eventElon Musk and Sam Altman co-found OpenAI alongside researchers as a non-profit artificial intelligence research lab intended to develop safe AI for humanity.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Active. Although OpenAI won the May 2026 federal lawsuit after a jury found Musk filed his claims past the statute of limitations, Musk's legal team announced plans to appeal. Meanwhile, the personal dispute remains active on X, where both executives routinely trade public barbs over product releases and rival corporate ventures.
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A dispute between a founding backer and the organisation he helped start.
Sources
- 1.SourcePublic Clash on X Following Apple Lawsuit · Jul 12, 2026
- 2.SourceJury Dismisses Musk's Claims · May 18, 2026
- 3.SourceFederal Trial Begins in Oakland · Apr 28, 2026
- 4.SourceMusk Files Federal Lawsuit Against Altman and OpenAI · Aug 5, 2024
- 5.SourceMusk Departs OpenAI Board ·
- 6.SourceOpenAI Co-Founded as Non-Profit ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.