OpenAI has alerted its investors and financial partners to anticipate exaggerated and potentially misleading statements from Elon Musk in the lead-up to a high-stakes trial scheduled for April 2026. The warning underscores growing legal tensions between the AI company and its co-founder.
- April 2026 trial date is central to the legal dispute between OpenAI and Elon Musk
- OpenAI has warned investors of 'deliberately outlandish' claims by Musk
- Musk’s allegations focus on OpenAI’s deviation from its original nonprofit mission
- OpenAI’s current valuation is $150 billion, with 2026 revenue projections exceeding $18 billion
- Major investors include Microsoft, Fidelity Investments, and Sequoia Capital
- Over 450 pages of discovery documents have been exchanged between the parties
OpenAI has issued a formal notice to its investors and banking advisors, signaling that Elon Musk is expected to make 'deliberately outlandish' claims in the months before the April 2026 trial. The statement, shared internally and with select financial institutions, reflects heightened anticipation of public and media skirmishes as the legal battle intensifies. The trial will center on Musk’s allegations that OpenAI deviated from its original nonprofit mission, a claim that OpenAI denies and has consistently refuted in prior filings. The April 2026 trial date follows a series of escalating exchanges between Musk and OpenAI executives. Since Musk’s departure from the board in 2018, tensions have persisted over governance, funding, and strategic direction. OpenAI’s internal memo emphasized that the company anticipates Musk may leverage media appearances, social media, and third-party commentators to amplify narratives that could misrepresent financial disclosures, corporate decisions, or timelines related to AI development. Financial analysts note that OpenAI’s investor base includes major institutions such as Microsoft, Fidelity Investments, and Sequoia Capital, collectively holding over $20 billion in equity stakes. The company’s current valuation stands at approximately $150 billion, with revenue projections for 2026 exceeding $18 billion. Any significant disruption in investor confidence due to external claims could impact capital access and market positioning, particularly in the context of upcoming Series E fundraising rounds. The legal proceedings are expected to examine the roles of board members, the timeline of OpenAI’s pivot to a for-profit structure in 2019, and the extent of Musk’s influence during the organization’s formative years. Both parties have submitted over 450 pages of discovery documents to date, with additional evidence expected to be filed by March 2026. Market observers are watching closely, as the outcome may influence investor sentiment across the broader AI sector.