Musk Texts Brockman Seeking Settlement Two Days Before OpenAI Trial, Then Warns 'You and Sam Will Be the Most Hated Men in America'

Two days before opening arguments in Musk v. Altman, Elon Musk messaged OpenAI President Greg Brockman 'to gauge interest in settlement.' When Brockman suggested both sides drop their claims, Musk replied, 'By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so it will be.' OpenAI moved to enter the text into evidence on 4 May 2026 to demonstrate motive. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declined to admit the message. The exchange surfaced publicly only after OpenAI's pre-trial filings were unsealed in early May.