In a sharp and dismissive response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s controlling nonprofit, signaling a deepening rift between the two AI pioneers. Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to reply with a tongue-in-cheek remark:
“No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
This response, both humorous and cutting, highlights the ongoing tension between Altman and Musk, whose feud over the future of AI has played out in courtrooms, social media, and boardrooms.
The Bid Musk Wants, The Future Altman Sees
Musk’s consortium—including his AI startup xAI, Baron Capital Group, and Emanuel Capital—made the offer in an attempt to block OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity. Musk has long argued that OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015, has abandoned its original mission of making AI development open-source and for the public good.
In rejecting the bid, Altman made it clear that OpenAI’s board has no interest in selling and remains focused on advancing AI capabilities under its own strategic vision.
“The board intends to make it clear it has no interest in Musk’s supposed bid,” Altman reportedly told OpenAI employees in an internal memo.
A Personal and Strategic Feud
Musk and Altman’s philosophical and business differences have escalated into a legal battle. Last year, Musk sued OpenAI and Altman, alleging they had betrayed OpenAI’s original purpose by prioritizing commercial interests, particularly through its close partnership with Microsoft.
Musk’s legal challenge seeks to block OpenAI from fully transitioning into a for-profit structure, arguing that AI should remain a public utility rather than a corporate asset. In response, Altman has maintained that scaling AI requires significant investment, making OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model a necessary evolution rather than a betrayal.
“We are building AI that benefits humanity, and that requires sustainable funding,” Altman stated in previous interviews.
Why Musk’s Bid Faces Steep Challenges
Even if OpenAI’s board were open to negotiations, Musk’s bid faces several major hurdles:
- Funding Constraints – While Musk’s personal wealth is immense (estimated at $165 billion, largely tied to Tesla and SpaceX), financing such a deal would require him to sell Tesla shares, secure massive loans, or use his SpaceX stake as collateral.
- Antitrust & Regulatory Scrutiny – Given OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft and its growing dominance in the AI space, any acquisition attempt would face heavy regulatory review in the U.S. and globally.
- Board & Investor Resistance – OpenAI was recently valued at $157 billion, and its investors—including Microsoft and SoftBank, which is considering a $40 billion funding round—would likely oppose a Musk-led takeover.
Altman’s Leadership Stance: Moving Forward Without Musk
With OpenAI emerging as the global leader in generative AI, Altman remains focused on expansion, innovation, and strengthening its position in the competitive AI landscape. His quick dismissal of Musk’s bid underscores OpenAI’s commitment to charting its own course, even as it faces criticism over its for-profit ambitions.
What’s Next?
Musk’s legal battle against OpenAI continues, and tensions between him and Altman show no signs of cooling down. Whether Musk escalates his takeover attempts or pivots to growing his own AI venture, xAI, remains to be seen.
For now, Altman has sent a clear message: OpenAI is not for sale.
