Key Takeaways
- Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, revealed in court that Elon Musk demanded majority ownership of the company in 2017
- Musk reportedly planned to use OpenAI to generate $80 billion for building a Martian settlement
- The confrontation became so intense that Brockman believed Musk might physically assault him
- After his ownership demands were denied, Musk abruptly left and threatened to cut off financial support
- OpenAI is considering a $1 trillion public offering in 2026, while SpaceX plans a June debut
In a California federal courtroom this week, Greg Brockman, who co-founded and currently serves as president of OpenAI, delivered explosive testimony that shed new light on the contentious split between Elon Musk and the artificial intelligence company.
During his testimony in Oakland, Brockman recounted a pivotal August 2017 confrontation where Musk insisted he should receive controlling interest in OpenAI, citing his proven success in business ventures. Musk also expressed his desire to assume leadership of the organization, with Sam Altman being the only alternative candidate under consideration.
The atmosphere turned volatile when the team proposed an ownership arrangement that didn’t align with Musk’s expectations. Brockman recalled the alarming moment for the jury: “I actually thought he was going to hit me.” Musk abruptly responded “I decline” and left the room.
Following his departure, Musk declared he would suspend all OpenAI funding until the matter was settled to his satisfaction. Since the organization’s establishment in 2015, Musk had served as a principal financial supporter.
Brockman’s testimony also revealed that Musk advocated for converting OpenAI into a for-profit entity during that same period. The rationale Musk presented was that a nonprofit structure couldn’t secure the massive capital requirements necessary for developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
Connecting the Dots to Mars
The most explosive revelation came when Brockman connected Musk’s power play directly to his interplanetary ambitions. According to the testimony, Musk disclosed that establishing a Martian city would require approximately $80 billion in funding, and he viewed gaining control of OpenAI as a mechanism to generate those resources.
This account aligns with subsequent SpaceX board actions from January 2026, when directors authorized granting Musk 200 million super-voting shares contingent on SpaceX achieving a $7.5 trillion valuation and Musk successfully establishing a Mars colony housing at least one million inhabitants.
Musk severed his ties with OpenAI’s board in February 2018, departing before the organization released ChatGPT and transformed into one of the planet’s most valuable technology enterprises.
OpenAI contends that Musk’s current litigation stems partially from regret over forfeiting the opportunity to participate in that extraordinary growth. The organization further suggests the legal action serves to advance his competing artificial intelligence venture, xAI, which completed a merger with SpaceX in February 2026.
Future Developments for Both Companies
Following Brockman’s appearance, Shivon Zilis is scheduled to testify. Zilis, who previously served on OpenAI’s board and shares four children with Musk, resigned from her position in March 2023 coinciding with Musk’s launch of xAI.
OpenAI has initiated preliminary discussions with major investment banks regarding a potential $1 trillion initial public offering, with late 2026 being the target timeframe. Competing AI developer Anthropic has announced similar IPO ambitions.
SpaceX has submitted confidential documentation to U.S. regulatory authorities and is preparing for a June 2026 market debut.
