Elon Musk reached out to OpenAI President Greg Brockman on April 25 to gauge interest in a settlement two days before the parties faced off in Oakland federal court—but the exchange quickly soured, and Musk warned Brockman and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman the trial would turn the two men into “the most hated men in America,” according to a new court filing from OpenAI.
Elon Musk arrives at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
OpenAI's defense team filed an application Sunday seeking permission to introduce evidence of an alleged pre-trial message from Elon Musk to OpenAI president Greg Brockman in which Musk had reached out to Brockman for a settlement.
When Brockman responded by suggesting both sides drop their claims, Musk allegedly replied, “By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so it will be.”
OpenAI’s attorneys argue that the message provides evidence of Musk's motive and bias, contending it shows his "motivation in pursuing this lawsuit is to attack a competitor and its principals,” per the filing.
