Elon Musk attempted to recruit rival Mark Zuckerberg to support his consortium’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI earlier this year, according to a court filing made public on Thursday.
Musk Approached Zuckerberg Over OpenAI Bid
OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, disclosed in its filing that Musk had communicated with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about potential financing arrangements or investments tied to his OpenAI takeover attempt.
The company stated that Musk revealed these communications during sworn interrogations. However, Zuckerberg ultimately did not participate in the bid.
OpenAI Seeks Meta’s Communications in Court
As part of the ongoing legal dispute, OpenAI has requested a federal judge to compel Meta Platforms to produce:
- Documents related to any bids for OpenAI.
- Communications concerning the restructuring or recapitalisation of OpenAI.
- Internal discussions involving Musk or other potential bidders.
OpenAI argued these records could shed light on the motivations behind Musk’s bid and broader competitive dynamics in the AI industry.
Meta Pushes Back Against OpenAI Request
In the same filing, Meta argued that OpenAI should seek the documents directly from Musk or his startup xAI, rather than Meta itself.
“Meta’s own communications concerning OpenAI’s restructuring or recapitalization (even as narrowed) are not relevant to this action,” the company said in its filing.
Legal Battle Between Musk and OpenAI Intensifies
The filing comes amid escalating tensions between Musk, OpenAI, and Meta—three of the biggest players in the AI race.
- Earlier in August, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk must face OpenAI’s claims that he attempted to harm the company through press statements, social media posts, legal claims, and a “sham bid” for OpenAI’s assets.
- Musk had previously sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over the company’s transition to a for-profit structure.
- OpenAI filed a countersuit against Musk in April 2025.
A jury trial is scheduled for spring 2026, potentially setting the stage for one of the most high-profile legal battles in the AI sector.
Key Takeaways
- Musk approached Zuckerberg to join a $97.4B OpenAI bid.
- OpenAI wants Meta to disclose documents and communications about restructuring.
- Meta argues such communications are irrelevant and should be sought from Musk directly.
- Musk faces OpenAI’s counterclaims after suing the company in 2024.
- Jury trial scheduled for spring 2026 in California.
