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OAKLAND, Calif. — A high-stakes courtroom battle over the future of OpenAI erupted into stunning territory Tuesday when co-founder Greg Brockman revealed he once feared Elon Musk might physically attack him during a heated internal clash over control and money.

"I truly thought he was going to physically attack me"

That chilling moment, Brockman testified, came during a tense August 2017 meeting at a critical turning point for the company now behind ChatGPT. What began as a friendly gathering quickly spiraled into confrontation as the founders wrestled with a looming financial reality: their ambitious artificial intelligence vision would require far more funding than expected.

The stakes were enormous. The solution under discussion could reshape the organization itself, including the creation of a for-profit arm.

From Gifts to Conflict

According to Brockman, the meeting opened on a surprisingly warm note. Musk had gifted Tesla vehicles to fellow co-founders. In return, Ilya Sutskever presented Musk with a Tesla-themed painting.

"The meeting started out very pleasant"

But the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the conversation turned to equity shares in the proposed for-profit structure.

Brockman said Musk pushed for majority control and rejected the idea of equal ownership among co-founders.

"He said, ‘I decline’"

What followed was a rapid escalation. Brockman testified that Musk grew visibly angry, questioned others’ roles, and issued a stark warning.

"When are you going to be departing OpenAI?"
"I will withhold funding until you decide what to do"

Moments later, Musk stood up, paced aggressively, grabbed the painting, and stormed out. No physical altercation occurred, but the tension left a lasting impact.

Legal War With Billions at Stake

The explosive testimony is part of a broader legal battle that could reshape OpenAI’s future. Musk is suing Brockman and CEO Sam Altman, accusing them of betraying the organization’s original nonprofit mission and enriching themselves.

Brockman and Altman strongly dispute those claims. They argue OpenAI remains under nonprofit control and insist Musk once supported the shift toward raising investor capital to compete in the high-stakes AI race.

The numbers involved are staggering. Musk testified he contributed $38 million during OpenAI’s founding. The company later emphasized it raised $90 million from other sources.

Today, the financial scale has skyrocketed. Brockman revealed his own stake in OpenAI is now worth nearly $30 billion, potentially placing him among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Inside OpenAI’s Chaotic Early Days

The courtroom also offered a rare glimpse into OpenAI’s unconventional beginnings.

Weeks before the explosive 2017 meeting, Brockman described another gathering at Musk’s San Francisco-area home, which Musk reportedly referred to as his "haunted mansion."

"It was clear that there had been a party there the night before"

Confetti and cups were scattered throughout the house. Among those present were actor Amber Heard, who was dating Musk at the time, and adviser Shivon Zilis, who later became a key figure linking Musk to OpenAI and is expected to testify.

Doubts About Musk’s AI Vision

Beyond the personal tensions, Brockman delivered a sharp critique of Musk’s understanding of artificial intelligence.

He testified that Musk appeared unimpressed with GPT-1, an early version of the technology that would eventually power ChatGPT.

Musk allegedly dismissed it as "stupid" and claimed "kids on the internet" could do better, a reaction that deeply discouraged at least one early employee.

"He knows rockets, he knows electric cars, and I believe he did not — and does not — know AI"

Brockman added that he doubted Musk would devote the time needed to truly understand the field.

At one point in 2017, Brockman said co-founders even considered voting Musk off the board before abandoning the idea. Musk ultimately left voluntarily in 2018.

Private Journals, Public Scrutiny

The trial has also exposed Brockman’s personal journal entries, including one from September 2017 where he wrote about wanting to "get out from Elon" and questioned "Financially, what will take me to $1B?"

Brockman acknowledged the discomfort of seeing his private thoughts aired in court.

"It was very painful"
"There’s nothing in there I’m ashamed of"

What Happens Next

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers indicated the trial could soon move toward a निर्णन phase, with evidence presentations potentially wrapping up early next week.

Jurors have already begun submitting questions, signaling deep engagement with a case that blends power struggles, billions of dollars, and the future of artificial intelligence.

"I have been receiving your questions"

The outcome could determine not only who controls OpenAI, but also how one of the world’s most influential AI companies evolves in the years ahead.