Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers chides Musk in OpenAI trial
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 6
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers chides Musk in OpenAI trial
9 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 6
In federal court in Oakland, California, she rebuked Elon Musk over X posts attacking Sam Altman and told all sides to start with a "clean slate".
The case centres on Musk's claim that OpenAI and president Greg Brockman breached charitable trust by creating a for-profit arm in 2019; OpenAI says he is aiding xAI.
A nine-person jury is expected to advise by month-end, but Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision in the $150bn lawsuit after tightly controlling proceedings.
With founders admitting dishonesty, can OpenAI's mission of 'safe AGI for humanity' still be trusted?
Will explosive trial revelations about governance derail OpenAI's planned trillion-dollar IPO?
Is the Musk vs OpenAI battle a personal feud or the defining struggle for control over artificial intelligence's future?
Musk vs. OpenAI: The $180 Billion Legal Battle Over AI’s Non-Profit Promise and Corporate Control
Overview
In the May 2026 trial, Judge Gonzalez Rogers firmly controlled proceedings, focusing strictly on contractual issues and shutting down attempts to debate AI's broader risks. Elon Musk's testimony revealed contradictions, including his admission that many AI companies use OpenAI's proprietary models and his defense of xAI's for-profit status despite criticizing OpenAI's shift from non-profit. OpenAI countered by highlighting Musk's prior involvement in profit model discussions and alleging his lawsuit was motivated by rivalry after failing to gain control and launching xAI. Legal experts remain skeptical of Musk's case, which, regardless of outcome, could reshape AI governance by setting precedents on non-profit mission enforceability and hybrid corporate structures.