Musk Clashes with Altman Over Trump’s $500B AI Project

Elon Musk challenged the financial viability of a major White House AI initiative on Tuesday, sparking a public dispute with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hours after President Donald Trump announced the $500 billion Stargate project.

“They don’t actually have the money,” Musk posted on X, claiming SoftBank had secured “well under $10B” for the Stargate Project. The venture aims to develop AI infrastructure through partnerships between SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle.

This allegation comes as Musk wields significant influence in Trump’s administration—he was considered so influential that people were calling him “shadow president” shortly after Trump was elected. 

Altman fired back at his former OpenAI co-founder, inviting Musk to visit the project’s first site. “I realize what is great for the country isn’t always what’s optimal for your companies, but in your new role I hope you’ll mostly put America first,” Altman wrote on X.

The relationship between Musk and Altman has been salty for a while. Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018 over a conflict of interest and differences in vision. Last year, he sued the company for allegedly abandoning its nonprofit mission through its Microsoft partnership. He also gave Altman the nickname “Swindly Sam.”

Altman sounded more diplomatic despite the criticism. “I don’t think he’s a nice person or treating us fairly but you have to respect the guy and he pushes all of us to be more ambitious,” he posted Wednesday.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella defended the project’s funding on CNBC, stating “all I know is I’m good for my $80 billion.” Sources familiar with Stargate said SoftBank holds $24.3 billion in cash reserves and can access additional capital through debt financing.

Altman has recently shifted his stance on Trump, attending the inauguration and posting that Trump “will be incredible for the country in many ways” despite previously opposing his 2020 campaign.

The companies plan to invest an initial $100 billion in Stargate, with the potential to reach $500 billion in coming years. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project and underlined its importance in competing with China’s AI advancements.


Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

We’re At The Start of a Great Silver Boom | Ross McElroy & Andy Bowering – Apollo Silver Corp

Equinox Gold Q1 Earnings: When Everything Goes Wrong

SSR Mining Q1 Earnings: Costs Continue To Climb

Recommended

First Majestic Makes Second Major Discovery At Santa Elena In Just A Year

PTX Metals Hits 235.1 Metres Of Copper, Nickel Mineralization In Longest Intercept To Date At W2

Related News

Elon Musk Starts Week Off With $930.7 Million In Tesla Stock Sales

A trend is developing in the stock sales of Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk....

Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 08:08:11 AM

Elon Musk Subpoenaed in Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Case

The US Virgin Islands has subpoenaed Tesla CEO Elon Musk for documents related to his...

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 09:41:00 AM

Annie Altman, OpenAI CEO’s Sister, Tweets About Sexual Abuse Suffered From “Brother” Sam Altman

Trigger warning: sexual abuse In a series of tweets, Annie Altman, the sister of OpenAI...

Friday, October 6, 2023, 03:03:00 PM

Suitception: SEC Sues Elon Musk Anew For Intently Delaying The Current Twitter Suit

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has leveled fresh accusations against Elon Musk, the...

Friday, March 15, 2024, 03:28:00 PM

Whistleblower Claims Musk’s DOGE Team Stole Labor Data

A whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board has alleged that officials from Elon Musk’s...

Friday, April 18, 2025, 03:40:00 PM