Elon Musk sent a series of ominous text messages to OpenAI president Greg Brockman and CEO Sam Altman, warning them they would become “the most hated men in America,” according to court documents filed by OpenAI. The messages were sent after Musk’s acquisition offer for the company was rejected.
The texts, referenced in a legal filing by OpenAI in its ongoing lawsuit against Musk, represent a significant escalation in the public and private tensions between the technology entrepreneur and the artificial intelligence company he co-founded. The filing does not specify the exact date of the messages but places them within the context of failed settlement negotiations.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict stems from Musk’s departure from OpenAI’s board in 2018 and his subsequent criticism of the company’s shift from a nonprofit research lab to a for-profit entity. Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI earlier this year, alleging breach of contract and antitrust violations.
OpenAI has countersued, arguing that Musk’s claims are meritless and that his actions, including the threatening texts and an unsolicited acquisition bid, are designed to disrupt the company’s operations. The court filing states that Musk offered to drop the lawsuit if OpenAI agreed to sell to him, a proposal the board unanimously rejected.
The Text Messages in Question
According to OpenAI’s legal team, after the settlement offer was refused, Musk sent texts to Brockman and Altman. The messages reportedly said that the pair “will be the most hated men in America” if they continued on their current path. The exact wording and context of the entire exchange have not been publicly released, but the filing cites the messages as evidence of Musk’s aggressive tactics.
OpenAI’s lawyers argued that the texts demonstrate a pattern of behavior intended to pressure the company’s leadership into submission, rather than a legitimate legal dispute over AI safety or corporate governance.
Implications for the Lawsuit
The inclusion of the text messages in the legal record adds a personal dimension to what has already been a highly publicized and bitter corporate battle. Legal experts note that such communications, while dramatic, may not directly affect the merits of the underlying claims but could be used to establish intent or state of mind.
Musk’s legal team has not yet issued a formal response to this specific filing. However, Musk has publicly stated on social media that his lawsuit is motivated by concerns over AI safety and OpenAI’s departure from its original mission. The company maintains that Musk’s lawsuit is a retaliatory measure driven by his exit from the organization and his desire to control the technology.
Reactions and Industry Context
The case has attracted widespread attention from the technology sector, investors, and policymakers. OpenAI, which developed the ChatGPT platform, represents a major force in the rapidly evolving field of generative artificial intelligence. Musk, through his ventures xAI and Tesla, is also a significant player in AI development.
Industry observers are watching the case closely for its potential impact on governance norms within AI companies, particularly regarding conflicts between founders and investors. The lawsuit also raises questions about the legal boundaries of aggressive negotiation tactics in high-stakes corporate disputes.
As of now, no trial date has been set. Both parties are expected to engage in further discovery and deposition phases over the coming months. The court will also consider motions to dismiss the case based on jurisdictional and contractual arguments.
The next procedural hearing is scheduled for later this quarter. Legal analysts anticipate that the case could take up to two years to reach a final resolution, barring an out-of-court settlement.
Source: GeekWire
