In a dramatic twist in the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, a recent court filing reveals that Musk reached out to Mark Zuckerberg for support in what would have been a $97.4 billion bid to acquire the AI research firm.
According to OpenAI’s filing, Musk through his AI company xAI communicated with Meta’s CEO about potential financing arrangements or investments to back the ambitious takeover attempt. However, Zuckerberg and Meta declined to join the effort and did not sign a letter of intent.
The disclosure came as part of legal proceedings in which OpenAI is seeking a court order requiring Meta to produce documents about any communications related to the bid, restructuring, or potential recapitalization.
OpenAI argues that communications between Musk and Meta could shed light on the motivations behind the takeover. In response, Meta contended that OpenAI should obtain such materials directly from Musk or xAI and that any Meta communications are irrelevant because the company never participated in the bid.
This court filing arises amid a broader legal confrontation that began last year when Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman.
He challenged OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for‑profit entity an evolution he views as a betrayal of its foundational mission.
OpenAI countered with a lawsuit, accusing Musk of deploying a campaign of harassment, misinformation, and a sham takeover bid aimed at undermining its operations.
A federal judge has already ruled that Musk must face OpenAI’s claims, and a jury trial has been scheduled for spring 2026.
Sources indicate that Musk’s bid was supported by several prominent investors and executives, including venture capital firms like 8VC, Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Vy Capital, and media executive Ari Emanuel.
Despite the backing, OpenAI’s board unanimously rejected the attempt. Some insiders viewed the filing as more of a publicity maneuver than a serious acquisition.
This episode illuminates the fierce competition and strategic jockeying within the AI industry. Musk, through xAI, and Zuckerberg, driving Meta’s aggressive AI investments, are both racing to attract talent and influence the future direction of generative AI.
The legal wrangling over documents and disclosure adds another layer to the battle, underscoring how alliances and corporate maneuvering are playing out behind the scenes.
As the case progresses, the flawed or failed attempt to involve Meta highlights the complexity of high-stakes tech power plays and how they intersect with courtrooms.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether subpoenaed documents, if released, reveal new dimensions of strategy, rivalry, or intent among tech titans vying for AI supremacy.
Written By Ian Maleve
