Business Law
May 12, 2026
Altman defends OpenAI mission in Musk charitable trust trial
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified Tuesday that the company remains committed to its founding mission despite Elon Musk's claims that it abandoned its nonprofit principles. During cross-examination, Musk's attorney questioned Altman about allegations of dishonesty and his temporary ouster from the company.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand Tuesday in Elon Musk's lawsuit against the company for breach of charitable trust.
Facing questions from his attorney, William Savitt of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Altman testified that the company remains committed to its original mission, which Musk claims it abandoned when it moved away from its nonprofit model. Altman said that Musk, one of four co-founders, tried to control the company during its early days as the group considered different for-profit models. Musk v. Altman et al., 4:24-cv-04722 (N.D. Cal., filed Aug. 5, 2024).
On cross-examination, Steven F. Molo of MoloLamken LLP questioned Altman's credibility, asking him about the OpenAI board's decision to fire him for being dishonest as well as media reports that he'd lied repeatedly to people within the organization.
The defense began presenting its case Monday afternoon, after the plaintiffs rested following two weeks of testimony.
Daniel Schrager
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