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Elon Musk and Sam Altman's personal feud has become a Trump loyalty test

Jan 23, 2025 - qz.com
The longstanding feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, two prominent figures in artificial intelligence, has intensified over Altman's perceived wavering loyalties to President Donald Trump. The conflict dates back to 2018, following Musk's departure from OpenAI, which he co-founded with Altman. Musk has since criticized Altman's leadership and plans to commercialize OpenAI. Despite Altman's initial reluctance to criticize Musk's new advisory role under Trump, tensions escalated when Trump collaborated with Altman's OpenAI on the $500 billion Stargate Project, a major AI infrastructure initiative. Musk publicly attacked the project and its partners, questioning their financial commitments.

Altman responded by urging Musk to prioritize national interests over personal business gains. This exchange led to a series of attacks from Musk on social media, highlighting Altman's past criticisms of Trump and his Democratic affiliations. Altman, who previously opposed Trump, has acknowledged a shift in his views, expressing cautious optimism about Trump's potential impact on the country. The situation underscores the broader realignment of tech leaders' loyalties in response to Trump's presidency, as they navigate the political landscape to maintain influence and favor.

Key takeaways:

  • The feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has a long history, originating from their collaboration on OpenAI and Musk's subsequent departure and legal actions against the organization.
  • Despite Altman's previous criticisms of Trump, he has recently shifted his stance, aligning with Trump's administration and securing major investments for OpenAI's Stargate Project.
  • Musk has publicly criticized Altman and the Stargate Project, questioning the financial backing and accusing Altman of being a "swindler."
  • Altman has acknowledged his changing views on Trump, expressing a belief that Trump could be beneficial for the country despite past criticisms.
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