Kristina Roberts
Sometimes even the biggest rivals surprise us. According to new court papers, Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and xAI, once reached out to Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, for help in a huge $97.4 billion bid to take over OpenAI. This news came out as part of an ongoing legal battle between Musk and OpenAI, the company best known for creating ChatGPT.
The filing says Musk had spoken with Zuckerberg about the possibility of joining him in financing or investing in the bid for OpenAI. However, Zuckerberg never agreed to become a part of the deal. It may sound strange to many people because Musk and Zuckerberg have often appeared as rivals, especially in the world of artificial intelligence. Yet, Musk still tried to get Zuckerberg on his side.
The details of this conversation became public after Musk revealed them during sworn questioning. In legal terms, this means he had to tell the truth while being formally asked questions about the bid. The court documents explain that Musk admitted he had talked to Zuckerberg about possible arrangements. While it is not clear exactly how deep these talks went, they show how complicated the battle over artificial intelligence has become.
OpenAI, in the same filing, requested that a federal judge ask Meta to hand over any documents and communications connected with the bid. OpenAI wanted to see if Meta had any discussions about restructuring or recapitalizing OpenAI. The company also said that any conversations Meta had with Musk or with other bidders might help explain the true motives behind the attempt to buy OpenAI. In the words of OpenAI, “Meta’s communications with other bidders, or internal communications, including those reflecting discussions with Musk or other bidders, would also shed light on the motivations for the bid.”
Meta, however, strongly disagreed. In the same court filing, Meta argued that OpenAI should simply ask Musk and his own AI company, xAI, for any relevant documents instead of trying to involve Meta. Meta’s lawyers said, “Meta’s own communications concerning OpenAI’s restructuring or recapitalization (even as narrowed) are not relevant to this action.” In other words, Meta wanted the judge to reject OpenAI’s request.
This legal fight is part of a much larger and bitter conflict between Musk and OpenAI. The tension began last year when Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. Musk accused them of straying from the company’s original non-profit mission. He argued that OpenAI had turned too much into a for-profit business, focusing more on making money than serving humanity. OpenAI denied those claims and, in April this year, decided to counter-sue Musk.
The relationship between Musk and OpenAI is complicated. Musk was once one of the founders of OpenAI, but he left the company in 2018. Since then, he has often criticized its direction. His own company, xAI, has become a direct competitor to OpenAI, building its own artificial intelligence systems. That makes this court battle even more intense, as it is not just about money but also about who controls the future of artificial intelligence.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk must continue to face OpenAI’s claims. The judge said there was enough evidence to suggest that Musk had tried to harm OpenAI by making public statements, filing lawsuits, and even making what OpenAI called a “sham bid” for its assets. This ruling means Musk cannot walk away from the case and will need to defend himself in court.
Now, a jury trial has been scheduled for the spring of 2026. This means a group of ordinary citizens will be selected to listen to the arguments from both sides and decide the outcome. Such trials can last for weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the case. The trial is expected to attract worldwide attention, as it involves some of the most powerful figures in technology today.
The idea that Musk approached Zuckerberg for help adds even more drama to the story. Musk and Zuckerberg have a history of clashing publicly. For example, they have argued about the risks of artificial intelligence, with Musk warning that AI could be dangerous while Zuckerberg usually expressed a more optimistic view. In addition, their companies compete in several areas, from electric cars to social media platforms and AI. Seeing Musk try to bring Zuckerberg into his plan to buy OpenAI shows how far he was willing to go to secure the deal.
This also raises an interesting question: why would Musk, who often speaks so critically of Meta, try to work with Zuckerberg? Some experts suggest that it may have been a strategic move. Joining forces with Meta, which has massive resources and influence in AI, could have made the bid for OpenAI stronger. Others believe it may have been simply an attempt to show the court and the world that Musk was serious about his offer.
On the other hand, Zuckerberg’s decision not to join tells us something important too. It may show that Meta does not want to get involved in the middle of a messy legal battle between Musk and OpenAI. It could also mean that Meta has its own AI plans and does not see any benefit in supporting Musk’s ambitions.
Whatever the reason, this small piece of information—the fact that Musk once tried to bring Zuckerberg into his plan—adds another layer to an already complicated story. It shows how unpredictable the world of tech giants can be. Rivals can sometimes become potential partners, and alliances can shift depending on opportunity.
As the legal case continues, many questions remain unanswered. Will Musk be able to defend his actions in court? Will OpenAI succeed in proving that his bid and statements were designed to hurt the company? And will Meta eventually have to hand over documents or stay out of the fight entirely?
One thing is certain: the battle between Musk, OpenAI, and Meta is not just about business deals. It is about control, reputation, and the future of artificial intelligence. The outcome of this case could shape how the world’s most powerful AI companies operate in the years to come.
For now, everyone is waiting for the trial in 2026, where the truth may finally come out in front of a jury. Until then, the rivalry between Musk, Zuckerberg, and OpenAI will continue to keep the world watching closely.
