The Elon Musk-Sam Altman psychodrama was transported to the presidential stage - and boy was it entertaining.
Musk wasted no time casting doubt on Stargate, a $500 billion artificial intelligence (AI) initiative unveiled by Donald Trump this week.
The project, a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aims to develop cutting-edge data centres powered by renewable energy to support AI advancements. Trump hailed Stargate as a “resounding declaration of confidence” in America’s technological prowess, with an initial $100 billion investment underway.
Musk, a key Trump adviser and early OpenAI investor, criticised the funding claims, asserting on his social media platform X, “They don’t actually have the money. SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority.”
OpenAI CEO Altman swiftly responded, defending Stargate and inviting Musk to tour its first Texas site, already under construction. “This is great for the country,” Altman wrote, urging Musk to prioritise national interests over corporate concerns.
The clash reflects a deeper feud between the two billionaires, rooted in Musk’s departure from OpenAI’s board and his legal challenge to its for-profit pivot. Meanwhile, Musk’s own AI venture, xAI, is expanding in direct competition with OpenAI.