Elon Musk sat in a courtroom in San Francisco for three days, answering questions about his lawsuit against OpenAI. The trial centers on Musk’s claim that the nonprofit abandoned its mission and should be blocked from a 2026 public offering. His testimony has drawn sharp scrutiny from the judge and the jury.

During cross‑examination, OpenAI attorney William Savitt exposed inconsistencies in Musk’s statements. He forced Musk to concede that he left the company after co‑founders refused control over a proposed for‑profit arm and that he was unaware of OpenAI’s “safety cards,” despite xAI’s own use of the term.

Musk’s demeanor faltered when he admitted he didn’t know what “safety cards” were and when he called OpenAI’s safety team “jackasses.” The judge reprimanded him for sarcasm, and the courtroom noted his temper, contradicting his earlier claim that he never raises his voice or loses his temper.

The trial also highlighted Musk’s relationship with Donald Trump, a topic his lawyers failed to keep off‑record, allowing the judge to probe potential bias. As OpenAI prepares for a 2026 IPO, Musk’s legal battle may influence investor confidence and the broader debate over AI governance.