Musk v. Altman is just getting started

Overview

Elon Musk spent three days on the witness stand this week in his lawsuit against OpenAI, and the proceedings have become increasingly contentious. Emails, text messages, and Musk's own tweets are being presented as evidence in court, with many more witnesses expected to testify.

Musk's Core Argument

Central Claim: By converting OpenAI from a nonprofit to a for-profit model, Sam Altman betrayed the original "nonprofit for the benefit of humanity" mission that Musk agreed to fund.

Musk's Quote: "You can't steal a charity."

What's at Stake

The TechCrunch Equity podcast episode discusses:

The actual stakes in the courtroom battle
What to watch for as Altman and other witnesses take the stand
Recent deals and defense tech developments
Big Tech's earnings week revelations about the limits of AI spending

Key Topics Covered

Legal Battle: The ongoing Musk vs. OpenAI lawsuit
Corporate Structure: OpenAI's transformation from nonprofit to for-profit
AI Infrastructure: Implications for the broader AI industry
Big Tech Earnings: What recent financial reports reveal about AI investment sustainability
Defense Tech: Military AI applications and acquisitions

Related Developments

Musk testified that xAI trained Grok on OpenAI models
Multiple witnesses are scheduled to appear
Documentary evidence including communications surfacing in court proceedings

This is a 37-minute podcast episode from TechCrunch's Equity series, published May 1, 2026.