Elon Musk alleges OpenAI "bait-and-switch" as lawyers challenge his motives during trial.

Elon Musk faced intense cross-examination over the past two days in his high-stakes lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, where his own past tweets and messages were repeatedly used to challenge his credibility and motives. The billionaire testified that OpenAI had executed a "bait-and-switch" by shifting from its nonprofit roots to a for-profit model backed by Microsoft's $10 billion investment, prompting him to text Altman, "what the hell is going on." According to Business Insider, Musk expressed shock at this pivot, which he claims betrayed the company's original open-source mission.

During Wednesday's testimony, Musk grew visibly irritated as OpenAI's attorneys grilled him on his early financial commitments to the startup. Bloomberg reports that lawyers questioned whether Musk had backed away from promised funding in OpenAI's formative years, putting the Tesla and SpaceX CEO on the defensive. He recounted losing trust in the motives of OpenAI's other leaders, including Altman, whom he accused of turning a charitable endeavor into a profit-driven enterprise. The BBC described Musk's bold claim that Altman had effectively "stolen a charity," highlighting the trial's potential to reshape AI governance and public commitments in the industry.

Tensions escalated into Thursday's session, with Musk clashing directly with OpenAI's legal team. As reported by Wired, the cross-examination delved into how Musk had allegedly "squeezed" OpenAI during negotiations, with the executive quipping that company insiders "are gonna want to kill me" over the fallout. Business Insider noted overlooked details from the second day, such as questions about the timing of Musk's lawsuit filing and his private communications with OpenAI executive Shivon Zilis, a mother of three of his children. These exchanges painted a picture of personal and professional friction at the heart of the dispute.

Musk's social media history proved a persistent hurdle, as TechCrunch detailed how prosecutors wielded his own tweets against him during his bid to legally dismantle OpenAI. The BBC further covered Musk accusing an OpenAI lawyer of trying to "trick" him on the stand, underscoring the combative atmosphere. Public radio outlet WUOT confirmed Musk continued his testimony seamlessly from the prior day, facing sustained cross-examination in this showdown over OpenAI's direction.

This trial carries major implications for the AI sector, potentially clarifying rules around nonprofit-to-profit transitions and the handling of foundational pledges. Tech leaders, investors, and regulators are watching closely, as a ruling could influence how companies balance innovation with public benefit. Those most affected include OpenAI's users, employees, and competitors like Musk's xAI, which positions itself as a counterweight to Altman's venture.

Looking ahead, the case is expected to extend beyond Musk's testimony, with both sides presenting more evidence on OpenAI's evolution and Musk's role as a co-founder who left in 2018. Courtroom observers anticipate appeals regardless of the outcome, prolonging the battle over AI's ethical and structural future. As the proceedings unfold, Musk's unfiltered style—evident in his outbursts and online posts—continues to both energize his supporters and fuel his opponents' arguments.