Musk Seeks Zuckerberg’s Help for OpenAI Takeover Bid, Court Files Reveal

Aug 24, 2025, 1:52 AM

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Elon Musk allegedly approached Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to help finance a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, according to court filings released this week . The documents, part of an ongoing legal dispute between Musk and OpenAI, detail how Musk sought Zuckerberg’s involvement in forming a consortium to fund the hostile takeover attempt . OpenAI, which co-founded with Musk in 2015, rejected the offer as a “sham bid” designed to impede its funding efforts .

Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI alleges the company breached its initial contract by prioritizing business interests over its mission to benefit humanity. The case, filed in August 2024, centers on Musk’s claim that OpenAI’s shift toward a for-profit structure diverged from its founding principles. OpenAI counters that Musk’s actions constitute harassment through litigation and public attacks, while also accusing him of attempting to destabilize the company via “sham bids” .

The court filing reveals that Musk approached Zuckerberg regarding a letter of intent outlining potential financial arrangements or investors for the takeover. Neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed the document, which was part of Musk’s effort to create an alternative AI competitor, xAI, after Microsoft’s $10 billion investment in OpenAI in 2023 . Meta has since argued that OpenAI’s subpoena requests are overly burdensome and that relevant communications should be sought from Musk and xAI directly rather than Meta, which did not participate in the bid .

Legal experts note the unusual alliance between Musk and Zuckerberg, who have long been rivals. Their feud dates back to 2016 when a SpaceX rocket explosion destroyed a Facebook satellite, and it intensified after Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018. Despite their history, Musk’s recent outreach to Zuckerberg underscores the high-stakes competition in AI development, with both companies vying for dominance in the field .

Meta has also been actively poaching OpenAI talent, offering $100 million signing bonuses to key researchers and restructuring its AI division to focus on superintelligence. While Meta denies any coordination with Musk’s bid, the filings suggest a broader industry battle over control of generative AI technologies. Analysts like Amelia Martella suggest Musk’s motives may be mixed, combining ideological concerns about OpenAI’s for-profit model with strategic ambitions to consolidate power in the sector .

The case highlights how legal battles are increasingly shaping the future of AI innovation. As both companies push for regulatory and financial advantages, the outcome could redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence development in the coming years.

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