A long-standing feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, co-founders turned bitter rivals at the helm of OpenAI, has just erupted anew on Musk’s own social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. What started as a lighthearted jab over a delayed Tesla Roadster soon turned into another public clash between two of Silicon Valley’s most influential-and outspoken-tech leaders.
Altman’s “Tale in Three Acts” Strikes a Chord
The latest chapter in the saga began when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted what he called “a tale in three acts,” on X. It contained screenshots of his 2018 reservation for a Tesla Roadster, a follow-up email requesting a refund on his $50,000 deposit, and an automated bounce-back message.
“I really was excited for the car!” Altman wrote. “And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.”
Altman was likely responding to Tesla’s second-generation Roadster, first unveiled in November 2017 as the fastest production car in history. The highly anticipated car has faced years of delays in production; Musk recently promised a new version of it would arrive by the end of 2025.
Musk Fires Back: “You Stole a Nonprofit”
Musk didn’t waste any time going after Altman, responding to the post with the lacerating remark:
“You stole a nonprofit.”
The comment references Musk’s long-standing accusation that Altman “hijacked” OpenAI-which was originally founded in 2015 as a nonprofit research organization dedicated to safe and open AI development. Musk left the company in 2018, later criticizing its transition to a “capped-profit” model under the structure of OpenAI Global LLC, where the nonprofit board still retains control of the for-profit subsidiary.
In March 2024, Musk even sued OpenAI and Altman on grounds that the company had abandoned its founding mission by becoming too entwined with Microsoft and prioritizing profits over transparency. Although a court later dismissed the lawsuit, Musk has continued to publicly accuse Altman of betraying OpenAI’s original ideals.
Altman Pushes Back at Musk’s Claims
Never one to back down from a counterpunch, Altman fired back indirectly at the Tesla CEO’s accusations, implying Musk was hardly in a position to talk about fairness or competition.
He referred to Musk’s AI startup, xAI, which recently sued OpenAI and Apple, alleging that they colluded to hold down competition in the AI sector. Altman called Musk’s lawsuit “remarkable,” adding:
“Given what I heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies – and harm his competitors and people he doesn’t like.”
The comment points to increasing friction between the two entrepreneurs, who now spearhead competing efforts in artificial intelligence: Altman with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Musk with xAI’s Grok chatbot, which is integrated into X Premium.
The Refund Controversy — and Musk’s Final Word
While Altman’s Tesla refund rekindled the feud, Musk did not waste any time in attempting to dial it back. Again responding on X, he wrote:
“And you forgot to say act 4, when that got resolved and you got a refund in less than 24 hours. But that’s your nature.”
Musk’s response suggested that Altman’s thread omitted important context-in this case, that Tesla had resolved the issue swiftly. Yet the exchange reflects how even a small customer complaint can become the latest front in a significantly broader personal and professional feud.
A Tech Feud Years in the Making
Musk and Altman have been at odds for many years. The two men were close collaborators when OpenAI was founded in 2015, united by a shared concern about the potential dangers of unchecked AI. However, philosophical and organizational disagreements soon emerged.
Musk reportedly wanted to roll OpenAI into Tesla’s AI team, a plan Altman and the board resisted. Musk left in 2018, citing conflicts of interest with Tesla’s self-driving AI effort. Since then, the relationship between the two has devolved into one of Silicon Valley’s most public rivalries.
Their differences reflect a deeper split in the tech world: Musk envisions AI as a tool best developed under private control with maximum safety constraints, while Altman is advocating for a more open and collaborative ecosystem — though his own company’s growing ties to Microsoft have raised eyebrows.
Rival Visions for the Future of AI
Today, the two men are at the helm of rival AI empires. xAI, Musk’s company, aims to create what he calls “truth-seeking AI” that avoids political or corporate bias; meanwhile, OpenAI, Altman’s company, continues to dominate the consumer space with ChatGPT, now integrated into Microsoft’s productivity software.
For all the public jabs, both men are racing toward the same goal: building the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence models. Their feud has become emblematic of the broader power struggle shaping the next era of technology, where ideology and business strategy intertwine with personal ego.
Conclusion: From Partners to Rivals What started as a friendly partnership to build safe, open artificial intelligence turned into one of the most bitter rivalries in modern tech. Musk and Altman’s latest exchange – over a car refund – is only the latest chapter in a saga emblematic of the cutthroat competition that lies at the heart of the AI revolution. Both men are forging the future of technology in their own ways, but their running clashes remind us: here in Silicon Valley, innovation and rivalry often run side by side.
