Hugging Face Elon Musk Seeks $134B from OpenAI and Microsoft
Jan 19, 2026
Elon Musk's ambitious lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft takes center stage, demanding up to $134 billion. Internal documents reveal fascinating insights about OpenAI's formations and Musk's pivotal contributions. Unexpected diary entries provide a peek into leadership shifts and funding debates. Excerpts from Satya Nadella's unpublished book hint at the corporate dynamics during partnership negotiations. The legal battle intensifies as the judge allows Musk's claims to move forward—setting the stage for a dramatic trial.
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Early Contribution Framed As Massive Value
- Elon Musk claims his early $38M and recruiting efforts gave OpenAI huge value that later benefited Microsoft and others.
- He seeks $79–$134 billion asserting those are “wrongful gains” from his contribution.
Defendants Dispute Valuation And Knowledge
- OpenAI and Microsoft challenge the legal and financial basis of Musk's claims and ask to exclude the economist's testimony.
- They argue Musk knew about plans for a capped for-profit structure and deny improper assistance.
Unsealed Docs Reveal Internal Debates
- Over 100 internal documents were unsealed, including emails, texts, and diary excerpts revealing early debates.
- Materials show Musk urging Microsoft partnership and requesting early Nvidia hardware access.