Musk Seemingly Tried to Strong-Arm a Settlement Out of OpenAI Before Trial

Elon Musk's multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against OpenAI took a new turn when OpenAI's counsel filed a document Monday revealing Musk attempted to force a settlement just before trial. According to the filing, Musk texted OpenAI President Greg Brockman on April 25 — two days before the case was set to begin — to gauge interest in resolving the dispute. Brockman responded by suggesting both sides drop their claims. Musk's reply, as described by OpenAI's attorneys, threatened: 'By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so it will be.' OpenAI's lawyers say they do not plan to introduce a screenshot of the exchange into evidence, but will instead have Brockman testify about it on the stand.

OpenAI's filing also cites Musk's similar behavior during his Twitter acquisition litigation, arguing it shows a pattern of 'coercive rather than conciliatory' tactics and that the lawsuit is motivated by attacking a competitor. The filing further notes that Musk's public standing may not help his case: a recent YouGov poll found 56% of Americans have unfavorable views of Musk, compared to 34% positive. Meanwhile, a Tech Oversight poll placed Sam Altman's negative favorability at 50%. Observers note Musk's courtroom demeanor — losing his cool and contradicting his usual bluster — may further erode his credibility. The lawsuit, which alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission for profit, ultimately risks becoming a battle of unpopular billionaires rather than a serious debate on AI ethics.