Elon Musk Demands $134 Billion From OpenAI & Microsoft for Benefiting From His Reputation
- Elon says OpenAI benefited from his reputation and wants his share of the profits. - Elon posts stating, "Can’t wait to start the trial", which will likely start in April 2026. - OpenAI publishes 2 news articles calling Elon's claims baseless and a harassment campaign.
Elon Musk is up against OpenAI and Microsoft for $134 billion in court. Especially with OpenAI, Elon is seeking between $65.5 billion and $109.4 billion, openly claiming that the company benefited from his reputation (directly). He started emphasising his role in OpenAI in 2023 (right when the company boomed).
According to Elon, he invested only in the company (as a co-founder with $38 million covering 60% of OpenAI’s early funding) because of its non-profit mission, and now that it's making profits, he wants his share. However, OpenAI strongly sticks to the fact that Elon left the company back in 2018, long before it picked up. So, why does Elon think he deserves this money? What exactly is Musk asking the court to do? For all that, learn more.
Why Is Elon Musk Seeking $134 Billion From OpenAI and Microsoft?
When OpenAI was founded in 2015, Elon was a co-founder. According to him, he put in about $38 million. He claims that his investment covered about 60% of OpenAI’s early funding. Not just that, he says that he helped the company hire staff. He mainly emphasised that he introduced the founders to important industry people. And it was his reputation that gave OpenAI credibility, and it wouldn't have been possible for OpenAI without his early help. How much money is Musk claiming?
- From OpenAI, Musk is asking for between $65.5 billion and $109.4 billion, reflecting gains from his early involvement.
- From Microsoft, he is seeking between $13.3 billion and $25.1 billion as it benefited unfairly from OpenAI’s shift to profit-making.
- He outright calls this money “wrongful gains” and yet wants his share.
Elon Says OpenAI Broke Its Original Promise (Non-Profit)
Elon is clearly upset that OpenAI promised it would be a non-profit organisation. Elon Musk left the company in 2018. Later in 2019, OpenAI created a capped-profit subsidiary. OpenAI restructured itself, became a for-profit, and closely partnered with Microsoft. Recently, the company transitioned its for-profit arm into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Therefore, the company is still a non-profit organisation for the most part. Because of its complex structure, Musk said OpenAI betrayed its original non-profit mission.
OpenAI and Microsoft’s Response to Elon Musk’s $134 Billion Claim
- OpenAI has published 2 articles on its site stating its version of how and why Elon is attacking OpenAI.
- It argues that the lawsuit is baseless and is part of a harassment campaign by Musk.
- Microsoft, on the other hand, says there is no evidence that OpenAI did anything illegal.
- And denies “aiding and abetting” OpenAI.
Elon Musk vs OpenAI & Microsoft $134 Billion Court Trial
Recently, a judge in Oakland, California ruled that the case will go to a jury and the trial may likely begin in April 2026. If the jury rules in Elon's favour, he may ask:
- A share of the profits
- Punitive damages (extra punishment money)
- Possibly an injunction (a court order stopping certain actions)
Final Thoughts…
From co-founder to courtroom, Elon Musk had a ride with OpenAI. Elon claims OpenAI's money as "wrongful gains" and yet wants his share. He posted on 'X' that he "Can’t wait to start the trial." On the other hand, OpenAI published news on its site saying it owes no money after his exit in 2018. We'll have to wait for the court trial in April to find out more details. Keep in touch.
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