Sam Altman Testifies Against Elon Musk in Trial Over OpenAI's $150 Billion Restructuring
Updated
Updated · The Verge · May 12
Sam Altman Testifies Against Elon Musk in Trial Over OpenAI's $150 Billion Restructuring
20 articles · Updated · The Verge · May 12
Sam Altman took the stand in California federal court, becoming the latest top OpenAI witness in Elon Musk’s jury trial against the company’s leadership.
Musk’s case seeks to remove Altman and Greg Brockman and unwind OpenAI’s for-profit restructuring, which he says betrayed the startup’s founding mission after his early backing of up to $38 million.
Greg Brockman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Shivon Zilis and former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati have already testified, underscoring how broadly the dispute reaches across the AI industry.
The trial caps years of feuding between Musk and Altman after Musk left OpenAI and launched rival xAI, with several earlier legal claims against OpenAI already dropped or dismissed.
With his credibility on trial, can Sam Altman’s testimony this week save OpenAI’s trillion-dollar dream?
Is the Musk vs. OpenAI feud a battle for AI’s soul or a billionaire's bitter revenge?
Musk v. OpenAI: The High-Stakes Legal Battle Over AI’s Mission, Money, and Microsoft’s $10 Billion Bet
Overview
As of May 12, 2026, the legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI is reaching its climax, with Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, set to deliver crucial testimony. This pivotal phase could sway the jury and shape public perception, as neither side has a clear advantage after seven days of intense testimony. The trial has been marked by high tension and visible stress among key figures, while the jury shows signs of fatigue. Altman’s upcoming testimony is expected to address the core disputes and may play a decisive role in the final verdict.