Sam Altman rips into Elon Musk, accuses him of manipulating X for self-benefit

The rivalry between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI founder Elon Musk has erupted into a public feud, with Altman accusing Musk of manipulating the social media platform X to favor his personal and corporate interests. This latest clash, sparked by Musk’s allegations of Apple’s anti-competitive practices in the App Store, underscores the high-stakes battle for dominance in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and control over digital platforms. As both tech moguls vie for influence, their dispute raises questions about fairness, algorithmic transparency, and the future of AI innovation.

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Also read: Elon Musk accuses Apple of favoring OpenAI in App Store, says xAI will take legal action

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Musk’s and Altman’s accusations

On August 12, 2025, Elon Musk took to X to claim that Apple’s App Store rankings unfairly prioritize OpenAI’s ChatGPT, making it “impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1.” Labeling it an “unequivocal antitrust violation,” Musk announced that his AI company, xAI, would pursue immediate legal action against Apple. The accusation came amid heightened competition, with OpenAI’s recently launched GPT-5 model and xAI’s Grok 4 vying for market share. Musk’s Grok currently ranks fifth in the App Store’s “Top Free Apps” section, while ChatGPT holds the top spot.

Sam Altman was quick to respond, dismissing Musk’s claims and turning the tables with a pointed accusation. In a post on X, Altman stated, “This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn’t like.” He bolstered his argument by sharing a 2023 Platformer article titled “Yes, Elon Musk created a special system for showing you all his tweets first,” which alleges that Musk directed X engineers to apply a “power user multiplier” of 1,000 to his account, artificially boosting his posts’ visibility. Altman hinted at further scrutiny, expressing hope for “counter-discovery” in any potential legal proceedings to reveal more about Musk’s practices.

A history of tension

The public spat is the latest chapter in a long-running feud between Altman and Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with a mission to advance AI research for humanity’s benefit. Their partnership soured when Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018, reportedly due to disagreements over the company’s direction. Since then, Musk has launched xAI and become a vocal critic of OpenAI, accusing it of abandoning its nonprofit roots for commercial gain, particularly through its partnership with Microsoft. The rivalry has intensified with legal battles, including Musk’s 2024 lawsuit against OpenAI for its for-profit transition and a failed $97.4 billion bid to acquire the company in February 2025, which Altman mockingly rejected with a counter-offer to buy X for $9.74 billion.

Also read: OpenAI boosts reasoning model limits for all users amid GPT-5 backlash

AI and platform power

The Altman-Musk dispute reflects broader tensions in the tech industry, where control over platforms and AI technologies is increasingly intertwined. Musk’s ownership of X, acquired in 2022 for $44 billion, gives him significant influence over public discourse, which critics, including Altman, argue he leverages to promote xAI and other ventures like Tesla. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s dominance with ChatGPT and its integration into Apple’s ecosystem, such as Siri, has positioned it as a leader in consumer AI. The clash also coincides with regulatory scrutiny, including a French investigation into X’s algorithm manipulation and a U.S. judge’s ruling against Apple for App Store restrictions.

The feud has sparked varied reactions on X. Some users sided with Altman, with one commenting, “or maybe ChatGPT just has more downloads per day..?” Others defended Musk, “Perhaps it is you (Sam Altman) who is manipulating your products to your benefit, by putting warnings on every link to a competitor?” The debate has also fueled discussions about AI competition, with one X user stating, “All the people controlling our data are suing each other over who gets more access to our data… for free.” Industry observers note that the legal threats and public barbs could impact not only OpenAI and xAI but also the broader app ecosystem, as Apple’s practices come under scrutiny.

Implications for the future

As AI continues to shape industries, the Altman-Musk rivalry highlights the challenges of balancing innovation, competition, and platform governance. Altman’s focus on “making great products” suggests OpenAI will push forward with GPT-5 and potential new ventures, such as a rumored social network to rival X. Meanwhile, Musk’s legal threats and algorithm controversies may invite further regulatory attention, potentially affecting X’s operations and xAI’s growth. The outcome of their disputes, including a scheduled March 2025 trial over OpenAI’s for-profit shift, could set precedents for AI development and platform accountability. The rivalry’s personal, but the legal precedent could shape AI access for decades.

The clash between Sam Altman and Elon Musk is more than a personal feud – it’s a battle over the future of AI and digital influence. Altman’s accusations of X manipulation strike at the heart of Musk’s platform control, while Musk’s antitrust claims challenge OpenAI’s market dominance. As both leaders push their visions for AI, their public war of words underscores the high stakes of technological innovation and the power dynamics shaping it. With legal battles looming and public sentiment divided, the tech world watches closely to see how this rivalry will reshape the industry.

Also read: Early reactions to ChatGPT-5 are all bad: What went wrong for OpenAI?

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Vyom Ramani

A journalist with a soft spot for tech, games, and things that go beep. While waiting for a delayed metro or rebooting his brain, you’ll find him solving Rubik’s Cubes, bingeing F1, or hunting for the next great snack. View Full Profile