Sam Altman Rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4B OpenAI Offer with a Sharp-Witted Response

The rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman just hit another level. In a dramatic move, Musk reportedly made an unsolicited $97.4 billion offer to buy OpenAI, the artificial intelligence powerhouse he co-founded in 2015 but later distanced himself from. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman didn’t just reject the deal—he did it in classic Altman style, with a sharp-witted response that sent social media buzzing.

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Altman’s Bold Reply: A Twitter Takeover Joke?

When news of Musk’s bid broke, Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) with a pointed response:

"No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."

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The remark was an obvious jab at Musk, who purchased Twitter (now X) for $44 billion in 2022—a deal that has since been heavily scrutinized. Within minutes, Musk fired back, calling Altman a "swindler," reigniting a long-standing feud between the two tech moguls.

no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want — Sam Altman (@sama) February 10, 2025

A Battle Over OpenAI’s Future

Musk and Altman’s relationship has been rocky for years. The two co-founded OpenAI with the vision of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. But in 2018, Musk walked away, reportedly unhappy with the company’s direction and its decision to transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit business model.

Since then, OpenAI has skyrocketed in value, thanks in large part to a deep partnership with Microsoft. The tech giant has invested billions in OpenAI, integrating its cutting-edge AI models into Microsoft’s cloud services and products. OpenAI is now reportedly valued at around $260 billion, making Musk’s $97.4 billion offer look like a significant discount.

But Musk isn’t just watching from the sidelines. He has launched his own AI company, xAI, to rival OpenAI. He is also suing OpenAI and Altman, claiming that the company betrayed its original mission and that his early $45 million donation was given with the understanding that OpenAI would remain a nonprofit. Legal experts suggest this case could have major implications for the AI industry.

The Legal and Financial Twist

Musk’s latest offer, if genuine, could establish a benchmark for OpenAI’s market value. However, legal and corporate analysts point out that OpenAI's unconventional business structure, ongoing legal battles, and heavy investment commitments complicate its valuation. Additionally, OpenAI is legally required to ensure any sale reflects fair market value, a point Musk’s legal team has already raised with California’s attorney general.

More Drama Between Musk and Altman

This isn’t the first time the two billionaires have clashed. Musk recently questioned whether OpenAI, along with SoftBank and Oracle, had the financial capability to execute their ambitious $500 billion “Stargate Project,” a plan to build AI data centers across the U.S. Altman quickly fired back, inviting Musk to visit a construction site in Texas where one of the facilities is being built.

As the AI race intensifies, Musk and Altman’s rivalry continues to shape the industry’s future. Whether it’s lawsuits, billion-dollar deals, or viral social media jabs, one thing is certain—this battle is far from over.

Also Read: Sam Altman Predicts AI Costs Will Drop Tenfold Annually