Elon Musk Calls OpenAI CEO ‘Scam Altman’ Amid Rising Tensions

The ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has escalated once again, with Musk taking a direct jab at the OpenAI CEO, calling him “Scam Altman” in a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter).

The insult follows reports that Musk recently made a $97.4 billion offer to acquire OpenAI’s nonprofit assets—a move that was swiftly rejected by Altman. The latest confrontation highlights deepening tensions between the two tech moguls, who were once co-founders of OpenAI but have since become fierce rivals.

Musk’s $97.4 Billion Offer for OpenAI’s Nonprofit Arm

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Musk’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, confirmed that the billionaire submitted a bid to OpenAI’s board on February 10, 2025. The offer aimed to acquire all of the nonprofit’s assets, which Musk believes should align with OpenAI’s original mission—open-source artificial intelligence focused on safety.

Altman wasted no time in dismissing the offer. In a quick-witted response on X, he replied: “No thanks, but we’ll buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

Musk, known for his sharp remarks on social media, fired back with a single-word response: “Scamman.”

Shortly after, when the X account Autism Capital shared a screenshot of Altman’s rejection, Musk reacted again, simply commenting: “Scam Altman.”

The exchange drew widespread attention, with Autism Capital humorously remarking: “Elon calling him Scam Altman? He’s really good at naming names.”

A Long-Standing Rivalry Reaches a Boiling Point

The Musk-Altman feud has been brewing for years, with public confrontations on X becoming increasingly frequent. While both men played key roles in founding OpenAI in 2015, their visions for the company’s future diverged sharply.

Musk’s Departure from OpenAI

Musk left OpenAI in 2019, citing concerns about the company’s direction and leadership. Since then, he has criticized Altman multiple times, particularly over OpenAI’s decision to transition from a nonprofit organization to a for-profit model.

In early 2024, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that Altman and the company had abandoned their original commitment to open-source AI development. The lawsuit claims that Altman misled Musk into co-founding OpenAI with a nonprofit mission, only to later shift towards a profit-driven approach.

The $500 Billion Stargate Project Dispute

One of their most recent clashes involved the $500 billion Stargate project, an ambitious AI initiative. Musk and Altman disagreed on the project’s objectives, leading to public arguments on X. The Stargate project controversy only deepened their rift, with Musk questioning OpenAI’s commitment to transparency and ethical AI development.

Musk’s Push to Restore OpenAI’s Original Mission

Musk’s $97.4 billion bid is seen as a bold attempt to reclaim control over OpenAI’s nonprofit arm and steer it back toward its founding principles.

In a statement provided to WSJ by his lawyer, Musk emphasized: “It is time for OpenAI to return to open-source AI, with a focus on safety as before. We will make sure that happens.”

Musk’s Commitment to Open-Source AI

Musk has consistently advocated for open-source AI, arguing that artificial intelligence should be transparent, accountable, and accessible to prevent monopolization by a few powerful entities. His AI-focused company, xAI, was founded in 2023 as a direct response to what he views as OpenAI’s deviation from its original mission.

With the growing influence of ChatGPT and other AI-powered tools, Musk has warned about the risks of AI development being controlled by a single, closed-source entity. His latest actions suggest that he is determined to challenge OpenAI’s current direction, whether through legal action, direct acquisition, or public pressure.

What’s Next for Musk, Altman, and OpenAI?

The ongoing Musk-Altman conflict has major implications for the future of AI:

1. Will OpenAI remain closed-source?

– If OpenAI continues its for-profit trajectory, Musk may increase legal and financial pressure on the company.

2. Will Musk pursue alternative AI ventures?

– His company, xAI, is already working on competing technologies, including the Grok chatbot integrated into X.

3. Will OpenAI respond to Musk’s criticisms?

– Altman and OpenAI have yet to make an official statement regarding Musk’s offer, but further exchanges on X seem inevitable.

One thing is clear—the rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman is far from over. As both leaders push forward with competing visions for AI, the industry remains at the center of a high-stakes power struggle that could define the future of artificial intelligence.