OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wasted no time shutting down a staggering $94.4 billion takeover bid led by Elon Musk and a group of investors. The response? A sarcastic counteroffer—buying X for a fraction of the price.
Musk’s Bold Offer and Altman’s Quick Rebuttal
Elon Musk, once a co-founder of OpenAI, has spent the last few years battling his former company in court, on social media, and in the press. Now, he’s taking things a step further. The billionaire, alongside a team of backers, made a formal bid to purchase the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The offer was met with an immediate and cutting response from Altman, who posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
Musk’s reaction? A one-word reply: “Swindler.”
The History of a Complicated Partnership
To understand why this offer and response matter, you have to go back to where it all started. Musk and Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015, aiming to create AI technology that would benefit humanity. But the partnership didn’t last.
In 2018, Musk attempted to take control of OpenAI, believing it was lagging behind Google in the AI race. When the board pushed back, he walked away, cutting financial ties and leaving the company to Altman and others. That exit led to years of public clashes, culminating in Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI earlier this year.
By the time OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, Musk had become one of its biggest critics. He repeatedly accused Altman and his team of turning OpenAI into a for-profit company, abandoning its original mission. When Microsoft invested billions in OpenAI, Musk slammed the company as “ClosedAI” and accused it of misleading the public.
Musk’s New Role in Government and His Influence on AI
Musk’s involvement in AI and technology isn’t limited to OpenAI anymore. In an unexpected political twist, he now leads the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly created agency with sweeping authority over federal spending.
His government role has sparked controversy:
- He’s been accused of meddling in Treasury operations after gaining access to federal payment systems.
- Lawmakers have raised concerns about an “unelected shadow government” consolidating power.
- Senate Democrats introduced a bill called “Stop the Steal” to curb Musk’s influence over the Treasury Department.
Despite this, Musk continues to wield significant control over AI policy, even as he publicly feuds with OpenAI.
The $94.4 Billion Question: What Happens Next?
Musk’s offer to buy OpenAI’s controlling nonprofit board raises major questions:
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Would OpenAI even consider a sale?
- Given Altman’s immediate rejection, the answer is almost certainly no. OpenAI’s leadership has fought hard to keep control away from any single individual—especially Musk.
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What’s Musk’s real motivation?
- Some see the offer as a genuine attempt to bring OpenAI back to its original mission. Others believe it’s a power play to counter Microsoft’s deep involvement in the company.
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Will Musk escalate his legal battle?
- Earlier this year, Musk sued OpenAI, alleging that it betrayed its nonprofit roots. The lawsuit was abruptly dropped in June. Could this failed takeover attempt lead to a renewed legal fight?
One thing is clear: Altman and Musk aren’t done with each other yet. Their personal and professional rivalry has only intensified, and with OpenAI at the heart of the AI boom, the stakes have never been higher.
A Tech Feud Unlike Any Other
The Altman-Musk saga is more than just a spat between two tech moguls. It’s about the future of artificial intelligence, government influence over private industry, and the unchecked power of Silicon Valley billionaires.
Musk’s next move remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, he won’t let this rejection slide without a response.
