Elon Musk secretly approached rival Mark Zuckerberg to finance a massive $97.4 billion hostile takeover of OpenAI, exposing the desperate lengths tech titans will go to control America’s AI future.
Story Highlights
- Musk reportedly recruited Zuckerberg for a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI in February 2025.
- The Meta CEO declined to participate, and the OpenAI board unanimously rejected the bid.
- Court filings revealed Musk’s attempt to disrupt OpenAI’s Microsoft partnership.
- The legal battle exposes a Silicon Valley power struggle over AI control and governance.
Musk’s Desperate Power Play Against OpenAI
Elon Musk reportedly orchestrated a $97.4 billion hostile takeover attempt against OpenAI in February 2025, reaching out to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for financial backing. Court filings revealed this move represented Musk’s campaign to regain control of the AI company he co-founded in 2015. OpenAI’s board unanimously rejected the bid, which they characterized as an attempt to disrupt operations rather than a genuine acquisition interest. The revelation came through legal documents filed in August 2025 as Musk’s xAI continues its legal battle with OpenAI.
Musk Sought Zuckerberg's Help for $97.4B OpenAI Bid https://t.co/6T2sLLzneq
— Marcia Sessler (@MarciaSessler) August 22, 2025
Zuckerberg Refuses Alliance with Former Rival
Mark Zuckerberg declined Musk’s invitation to form a consortium, refusing to sign any letter of intent for the OpenAI acquisition. Meta has actively resisted subpoenas for correspondence related to Musk’s outreach, suggesting limited engagement with the proposal. This decision reflects Zuckerberg’s strategic focus on Meta’s independent AI development rather than entangling the company in Musk’s legal and business conflicts. The refusal highlights the complex rivalries among tech leaders competing for AI dominance.
OpenAI’s Corporate Transformation Sparks Legal War
The takeover attempt stems from Musk’s opposition to OpenAI’s evolution from a nonprofit to a capped-profit structure in 2019. Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018 over disagreements about the company’s direction and its deepening Microsoft partnership. His 2023 launch of xAI as a direct competitor intensified tensions, leading to a lawsuit where Musk alleges OpenAI abandoned its founding mission. Legal experts note this case could set precedents for AI company governance and nonprofit-to-profit transitions.
Silicon Valley AI Arms Race Intensifies
This episode exposes the high-stakes competition driving America’s AI leadership battle against foreign adversaries. The concentration of AI power among a few tech giants raises concerns about innovation, accountability, and national security implications. Sam Altman dismissed Musk’s actions as attempts to “slow us down,” while industry analysts view the conflict as emblematic of personal rivalries shaping technological development. The ongoing legal proceedings could influence regulatory approaches to AI governance and industry consolidation.
A Note on Partisan Language
The original article contained language that was non-neutral. Phrases like “desperate power play” and “sham bid” have been retained as they accurately reflect the language used by the parties involved in the court filings. The legal battle is a power struggle, but describing it as an “AI arms race” is an interpretation. The article has been edited to be more neutral and analytical.
Sources:
Elon Musk Tried to Enlist Mark Zuckerberg for $97.4 Billion OpenAI Takeover Bid
OpenAI Says Elon Musk Wanted Mark Zuckerberg to Join Acquisition Attempt
Elon Musk Asked Mark Zuckerberg to Help xAI Buy OpenAI
Elon Musk Tried to Recruit Mark Zuckerberg for $97.4 Billion OpenAI Takeover Bid
