Sam Altman Faces Heated Cross-Examination in Elon Musk’s OpenAI Lawsuit

Altman Pressed on Trust and Truthfulness

Sam Altman endured a sharp and at times uncomfortable cross-examination Tuesday as Elon Musk’s lead trial attorney challenged the OpenAI CEO on allegations of dishonesty in the ongoing civil case in federal court in California.

Musk’s attorney, Steven Molo, opened with a direct question to the jury-facing executive: “Are you completely trustworthy?” Altman initially replied, “I believe so,” before Molo pressed further—“You don’t know whether you’re completely trustworthy?”—prompting Altman to amend his response to “yes.”

Molo then pushed Altman across a broader line of inquiry, repeatedly asking whether Altman tells the truth, lies to advance business aims, or misleads colleagues. Altman maintained his position on the stand: “I believe I am an honest and trustworthy business person,” he testified.

Musk’s Core Allegation: Nonprofit Origins vs. For-Profit Value

The exchange unfolded within Musk’s lawsuit accusing Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman of misleading him into backing OpenAI as a nonprofit research lab, then later transforming it into a for-profit enterprise that Musk claims is now worth more than $800 billion.

Altman spent part of his testimony—more than three hours as a defendant and high-profile witness—arguing that Musk had sought control of OpenAI as early as 2017, including attempts that Altman portrayed as extending beyond Musk’s lifetime through succession plans involving Musk’s children.

Cross-Examination Turns Combative

As Molo’s questioning intensified, Altman’s earlier conversational tone appeared to change. Under cross-examination, his answers became shorter and more rapid, frequently relying on phrases such as “I don’t recall” and “I don’t accept that characterization.”

Molo accused Altman of misconduct in multiple forms—framing questions around alleged lying, bribery, and even “stealing a charity.” When confronted with negative commentary from board members connected to Altman’s brief 2023 removal from OpenAI, Altman responded sharply, “I can’t say how other people think.”

Prior Insider Testimony Cited in Court

Molo also referenced prior testimony from former OpenAI insiders, including Mira Murati and Tasha McCauley, telling Altman that he has been repeatedly described as “deceptive and a liar.”

Referring specifically to McCauley, Molo said she accused Altman of creating a “toxic culture of lying” at OpenAI and asked whether Altman was aware of that allegation. Altman said he was not aware of “those words” and added that he did not hear McCauley’s testimony.

Molo then questioned whether Altman was closely following the proceedings. Altman replied that he cared about the trial but emphasized the demands of his role: “Yes, although I have a very busy day job and have not been able to be here every day.” He added, “I certainly care about this trial.”

Microsoft Investment Texts Enter the Dispute

Molo also asked Altman about a 2022 New Yorker story describing Musk’s reaction to Microsoft’s $10 billion investment in OpenAI. Soon after the story, Musk texted Altman calling the deal a “bait and switch,” suggesting OpenAI had used Musk’s early backing to enable a massive financial outcome.

In court, Molo characterized Musk’s message as implying that Altman had effectively taken control of a charitable endeavor for private benefit. “He’s saying essentially that you stole the charity, right?” Molo asked. Altman disagreed, responding: “It doesn’t look like that’s what he’s saying to me.”

The exchange also included Altman’s response to Musk in the texts: “I agree this feels bad,” followed by an offer of equity in OpenAI. Molo framed that offer as improper—“You offered him a bribe didn’t you?”—which Altman rejected: “I don’t accept any of that characterization.”

Dispute Over Mission Commitment

Molo further pressed Altman on Musk’s claim that Altman had been “lying” about dedication to OpenAI’s nonprofit founding mission. Altman responded that he did not know whether Musk had accused him of lying or lacking commitment. Molo then asked whether Altman had read the lawsuit. Altman replied: “Many, many versions of it, sir.”

Coinasity's Take

This testimony highlights how control, governance, and mission commitments can become flashpoints when organizations evolve from nonprofit ideals into entities tied to massive financial value. For markets that track the intersection of technology, capital, and high-stakes corporate structure—especially in crypto and broader digital-asset ecosystems—the case underscores the premium investors place on clear disclosures, transparent governance, and credible leadership when large-scale funding and strategic pivots are involved.