Trending Now - Sam Altman Enlists Lawyer to Take on Elon Musk Again in Court
WHO:
Business Insider - Sam Altman, Elon Musk, William Savitt, OpenAI, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Twitter, xAI, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Washington Post - Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers
WHAT:
Business Insider - Sam Altman hired William Savitt to lead his legal team in a trial against Elon Musk.
Business Insider - Musk alleges that Altman scammed him by transforming OpenAI into a corporate entity rather than the nonprofit he originally supported.
Business Insider - Savitt previously represented Twitter in a lawsuit against Musk to enforce his purchase of the platform.
The Washington Post - Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers expressed frustration with Musk, asking, “How can we get things done without you making things worse outside the courtroom?”
WHERE:
Business Insider - The trial is taking place in an Oakland federal courtroom.
Business Insider - Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is based in New York.
WHEN:
Business Insider - The trial is currently unfolding.
Business Insider - Savitt worked with OpenAI on various matters earlier in 2023.
Business Insider - Altman was ousted from the board in November 2023.
WHY:
Business Insider - Musk's goal is alleged to be dismantling OpenAI to benefit his own AI company, xAI.
Business Insider - Savitt stated that it is "very cool to be a part of something that is world-changing."
HOW:
Business Insider - Savitt is leading the legal team and is tasked with demonstrating Musk's motivations in court.
Business Insider - Savitt received clearance from the attorneys general of California and Delaware for OpenAI's transition to a public benefit corporation.
(UPDATED May 3, 2026 13:17 UTC)
In a high-stakes trial unfolding in an Oakland federal courtroom, Sam Altman has hired William Savitt to lead his legal team against Elon Musk, who claims Altman scammed him by turning OpenAI into a corporate entity instead of the nonprofit he initially supported. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers expressed her frustration with Musk, questioning how progress can be made with his actions complicating matters outside the courtroom. Savitt, who previously represented Twitter in a lawsuit against Musk, is now focused on proving Musk's motivations, as he aims to dismantle OpenAI to benefit his own AI company, xAI.