# **Sam Altman Turns Down Elon Musk’s $97.4 Billion Proposal to Acquire OpenAI**
In a significant development within the AI sector, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has openly turned down an unsolicited offer from Elon Musk amounting to $97.4 billion for the purchase of OpenAI. This proposal, reportedly supported by Musk’s AI firm, xAI, along with several investors linked to Musk’s other businesses, was quickly rejected by Altman, who humorously countered with a suggestion to acquire Twitter for $9.74 billion.
## **Altman’s Reaction and Musk’s Reply**
The news regarding Musk’s offer was initially covered by *The Wall Street Journal*, leading Altman to respond with a playful comment on X (previously Twitter). In his message, Altman adjusted the decimal point in Musk’s proposed figure, declaring, *”No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”*
Musk, who recently adapted his display name on X to “Harry Bōlz,” referencing an inside joke from his DOGE cryptocurrency circle, replied succinctly with the word: *”Swindler.”*
## **Reasons OpenAI Is Not Available for Purchase**
In an interview with *Axios*, Altman detailed his position, stressing that OpenAI’s mission is steadfast and not for sale.
*”OpenAI’s mission is not for sale—to say nothing of the fact that a competitor who is not able to beat us in the market and instead just tries to say, ‘I’m gonna buy this,’ with complete disregard for the mission is a probable path there,”* Altman remarked.
His statements imply that he perceives Musk’s offer as an attempt to undermine OpenAI rather than a sincere proposal to acquire the organization.
## **The Ongoing Tension Between Musk and Altman**
The tension between Musk and Altman originated in 2015 when they co-founded OpenAI as a non-profit entity. Musk departed from the organization in 2018 but has consistently criticized its trajectory, especially after OpenAI adopted a profit-driven approach and collaborated with Microsoft.
In response, Musk founded his own AI enterprise, xAI, in 2023, which later created the AI chatbot *Grok*. Since that time, Musk has progressively contested OpenAI, even filing several lawsuits against the company and Altman personally. His main complaint has focused on OpenAI’s movement away from open-source AI development, which he believes contradicts its foundational goals.
Musk initially sued OpenAI in March 2024, alleging that its alliance with Microsoft breached its pledge to provide AI advancements freely to the public. He later dismissed the lawsuit in June 2024, only to reinstate it in August with similar claims.
## **A Confrontation of AI Giants**
The latest interaction between Musk and Altman represents yet another episode in their protracted rivalry. Musk has been notably critical of OpenAI’s recent $500 billion “Stargate” AI infrastructure initiative, which seeks to expedite the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
When questioned on *Bloomberg Television* whether Musk’s conduct arises from insecurity regarding xAI’s standing in the AI competition, Altman replied, *”Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity.”* He further commented, *”I don’t think he’s a happy guy. I feel for him.”*
## **What Lies Ahead?**
As OpenAI continues to make considerable progress in AI advancements and Musk presses on with his legal and public challenges against the organization, the rivalry between these two tech leaders shows no sign of resolution in the near future. It remains uncertain whether Musk will attempt another acquisition of OpenAI or redirect his focus toward expanding xAI.
For the time being, Altman has reiterated: OpenAI is not for sale.
