Brockman Defends $30B Stake as Musk v. Altman Trial Enters Week 2

The second week of the Musk v. Altman trial opened with OpenAI president and co‑founder Greg Brockman in the hot seat. In an unusual procedural move, Brockman was cross‑examined first by Elon Musk's attorney Steven Molo before his own team conducted direct examination. The testimony quickly turned contentious. As The Verge reported, Brockman displayed what the outlet called "high school debate club energy" — correcting Molo on skipped words, demanding context, and routinely deflecting with "I wouldn't characterize it that way." When asked if Microsoft's 0 billion investment was the biggest financial event at OpenAI, The Verge noted Brockman replied it was merely the only 0 billion investment.

Brockman revealed in court that his personal stake in OpenAI is worth nearly $30 billion, Reuters reported. WIRED reported the stake was worth close to $30 billion and that Brockman defended it as earned through "blood, sweat, and tears."

The most damaging evidence came from Brockman's own journal entries dating back to 2017. The Verge published excerpts including: "it'd be wrong to steal the non‑profit from him. to convert to a b‑corp without him. that'd be pretty morally bankrupt and he's really not an idiot." Another entry published by The Verge stated: "maybe we should just flip to a for‑profit. making money for us sounds great and all." A third read: "cannot say we are committed to the non‑profit. don't wanna say we're committed. if three months later we're doing a b‑corp it is a lie."

Two days before the trial began, Musk reached out to Brockman directly about a potential settlement, WIRED reported. When Brockman suggested both sides drop their claims, WIRED said Musk responded: "By the end of this week, you and Sam [Altman] will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so be it." The exchange underscores the personal stakes — a feud between former collaborators that has spilled into federal court.

Musk's lawsuit hinges on whether OpenAI abandoned its founding nonprofit mission. The Verge observed that Brockman's journal entries lend weight to Musk's accusation, which the outlet summarized as the claim that OpenAI effectively stole a charity from its donors. The testimony gives the jury a window into the internal thinking of OpenAI's leadership as they navigated the tension between nonprofit charter and financial reality.

The outcome could reshape how AI companies structure themselves. A Musk victory might force OpenAI — and other AI startups — to adhere more strictly to nonprofit charters. Reuters reported that Brockman's financial disclosures are part of the broader debate about accountability in AI governance. For builders who rely on OpenAI's tools and APIs, the trial raises practical questions about access and continuity. The trial continues with no ruling expected for weeks.