Elon Musk sought to enlist Zuckerberg in OpenAI takeover attempt, Court filing reveals

‎World’s richest man, Elon Musk tried to bring Mark Zuckerberg into the $97.4 billion bid his consortium made for OpenAI earlier this year, but the Meta CEO did not join, OpenAI said in a court filing on Thursday.

‎According to the filing, Musk discussed possible financing or investment arrangements with Zuckerberg in relation to the OpenAI takeover attempt.

OpenAI said Musk revealed those conversations during sworn interrogations.

‎Musk, whose company xAI competes with OpenAI, could not immediately be reached for comment. xAI also did not respond to requests for comment outside regular hours.

‎OpenAI asked a federal judge to order Meta to produce documents and communications linked to any bid for OpenAI, including those “concerning any actual or potential restructuring or recapitalization of OpenAI.”

‎”Meta’s communications with other bidders, or internal communications, including those reflecting discussions with Musk or other bidders, would also shed light on the motivations for the bid,” OpenAI said, describing Musk and Meta as two of its biggest rivals.

‎Meta responded in the same filing, arguing that OpenAI should request documents directly from Musk and xAI, and urged the court to reject OpenAI’s motion.

‎”Meta’s own communications concerning OpenAI’s restructuring or recapitalization (even as narrowed) are not relevant to this action,” the company said.

‎Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk must face OpenAI’s claims that he sought to harm the company through public statements, lawsuits, and what OpenAI called “a sham bid for OpenAI’s assets.”

‎Musk sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman last year over its move to a for-profit model. OpenAI countersued Musk in April. A jury trial is scheduled for spring 2026.

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