In a remarkable twist, Elon Musk—now at the center of a bitter legal and strategic battle with OpenAI—took an audacious move earlier this year that few expected: he approached Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg with the idea of collaborating on a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, according to newly revealed court filings.

Musk’s Move: A Bid for OpenAI

In February 2025, a consortium of investors led by Musk submitted an unsolicited $97.4 billion offer to acquire the nonprofit structure that controls OpenAI—including both its nonprofit and for-profit arms. The offer was quickly rejected. OpenAI’s board firmly stated: “OpenAI is not for sale.”

Musk centered his bid around his ideals of transparency, safety, and open‑source development—casting doubt on OpenAI’s shift toward profit-oriented models under co-founder Sam Altman.

Enter Zuckerberg: An Unlikely Ally?

Amid this tumult, the court filing reveals Musk reached out to Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, seeking his financial support or partnership. The filing frames this as Musk proposing “potential financing arrangements or investments.”

The reaction was swift: neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed any formal letter of intent or became involved in the bid. Meta emphasized there was no collaboration, while OpenAI is now requesting court-ordered access to communications between Musk and Meta regarding the bid, which Meta opposes as overreaching.

This revelation is significant on multiple fronts:

Two tech titans in dialogue: Musk and Zuckerberg have been vocal rivals—especially in AI—often mocking one another publicly, including a now-infamous proposed “cage fight.” A potential partnership would have shattered conventional expectations.

A power move against OpenAI: OpenAI, once co-founded by Musk, has evolved into a high-stakes commercial powerhouse, backed by Microsoft with multibillion-dollar injections. Musk’s bid—if realized—could have shifted the balance of power in favor of his vision (and xAI).

Meta’s growing AI ambition: Meta has ramped up its investments in AI, recruiting top talent and offering massive compensation packages. Musk’s bid may have presented an opportunity to leverage those resources or collaborate strategically.

OpenAI Fights Back in Court

OpenAI’s countersuit accuses Musk of a years-long harassment campaign, including the acquisition bid, lawsuits, and public denouncements. They characterize the bid as an intentional disruption to the company’s independence.

OpenAI is pursuing evidence—through subpoenas—demanding Meta’s communications with Musk. Meta, in return, argues the request is overly broad and burdensome.

The Aftermath: What’s Next for Musk and xAI

With the bid off the table and no cooperation from Meta, Musk remains entrenched in his strategy via xAI, his AI startup launched in 2023. If the acquisition failed, xAI alone will be the vehicle Musk will use to challenge OpenAI.

The battle has since extended to legal action, where xAI has filed antitrust suits against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of suppressing competition through exclusive integration of ChatGPT on iOS.

The Bigger Picture: AI Industry at a Crossroads

This dramatic episode shows the fierce competition underpinning the AI race—and how it intertwines with legal, strategic, and personal dynamics among industry giants.

Final Thoughts
Elon Musk’s overture to Mark Zuckerberg is more than a PR stunt—it was a calculated gamble in a high-stakes AI power play. While it fell through, its implications reverberate through the tech industry. The clash between Musk’s vision and OpenAI’s growing commercial footprint highlights critical disagreements over AI’s direction—and underscores how personal rivalries are shaping the technology that may soon shape our future.