4 things you missed from Musk v. Altman trial this week

May 1, 2026 - 10:15

Elon Musk endured a second day of grueling cross-examination this week in his high-stakes legal battle against OpenAI. The Tesla CEO was pressed on his early involvement with the artificial intelligence company and his motivations for leaving its board. Musk claims OpenAI abandoned its original nonprofit mission by partnering with Microsoft, a deal he argues was a betrayal of its founding principles. Under questioning, Musk struggled to recall specific emails and conversations, often deflecting with long-winded explanations about AI safety.

Following Musk's testimony, the court called Jared Birchall, Musk's longtime wealth manager and head of his family office. Birchall was asked to clarify the financial arrangements surrounding Musk's early donations to OpenAI. He testified that Musk contributed over $50 million in the organization's early years but grew frustrated when the company pivoted toward for-profit structures. Birchall's testimony appeared to bolster Musk's claim that he was misled about OpenAI's long-term goals, though he admitted he was not directly involved in boardroom negotiations.

The trial has drawn intense interest from the tech world, as its outcome could reshape how AI companies balance profit with public safety promises. Musk's legal team is expected to call additional witnesses next week, including former OpenAI employees. The case continues to reveal the messy, personal origins of the AI race, with both sides accusing the other of rewriting history.