Altman Testifies Musk Sought Control of OpenAI as Trial Enters Crucial Phase

Overview

• Sam Altman, who took the stand Tuesday, denied betraying OpenAI’s mission and said Elon Musk pushed for a 90% stake and control, which he resisted while also rejecting a merger with Tesla.
• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella defended the company’s multibillion‑dollar backing, saying he was proud the partnership strengthened the nonprofit and noting Microsoft prepared a unit to hire Altman after his brief 2023 ouster.
• Musk’s lawsuit seeks roughly $150 billion in damages to be paid to OpenAI’s nonprofit, the removal of Altman and Greg Brockman, and a return to a pure nonprofit structure that could upend the company’s growth path.
• Bret Taylor, OpenAI’s chair, testified that a consortium led by Musk’s xAI made a formal takeover bid in February 2025, which he said clashed with Musk’s stated aim of protecting a nonprofit mission.
• The Oakland trial is in its third week, with an advisory jury expected to begin deliberations around May 18 before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decides remedies that could affect leadership, governance, and fundraising across AI labs.