Sam Altman Takes the Stand in Musk v. Altman, Describes 'Hair-Raising' Moment with Musk

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman testified for the first time at the federal courthouse in Oakland on 12 May 2026, opening week three of Musk v. Altman. Altman told jurors there was a 'morale boost' when Elon Musk departed OpenAI in 2018 and recounted what he called a 'hair-raising moment' in their relationship before the split. Musk's counsel pressed Altman on whether the for-profit pivot violated the company's founding nonprofit purpose and on the structure of the multi-billion-dollar Microsoft partnership. Altman testified after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on 11 May, Greg Brockman on 28 April, and Musk himself in late April. The advisory jury and Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers are expected to take the case to verdict by mid-May, with Rogers's binding ruling to follow. Musk is seeking restoration of OpenAI's nonprofit status, removal of Altman and Brockman from the board, and approximately US$130 billion to be redirected to the nonprofit arm.