OpenAI co-founder recalls he feared Elon Musk might attack him during 2017 meeting
Brockman’s testimony came during a high-stakes trial involving Musk and OpenAI leadership
OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman testified in court on Tuesday that he once feared Elon Musk might physically attack him during a tense 2017 meeting over ownership and control of the organisation, as a legal battle over the company’s origins escalates in California.
Brockman’s testimony came during a high-stakes trial involving Musk and OpenAI leadership, including CEO Sam Altman, in which the billionaire alleges the company abandoned its original nonprofit mission and improperly benefited from its transformation into a for-profit structure.
According to Brockman, the August 2017 meeting initially began on a cordial note, with Musk reportedly gifting Tesla vehicles to co-founders and receiving a Tesla-themed painting in return.
However, he said the atmosphere shifted sharply when discussions turned to equity distribution in a proposed for-profit arm of OpenAI.
Brockman testified that Musk pushed for majority control of the organisation and rejected equal ownership among founders.
He said tensions escalated quickly, with Musk questioning leadership roles and warning that he would withhold funding unless his demands were met.
“I truly thought he was going to physically attack me,” Brockman told the court, describing Musk as visibly angry during the confrontation.
He said Musk eventually stood up, paced the room, and left the meeting abruptly while taking the painting, though no physical altercation occurred.
The testimony forms part of Musk’s broader lawsuit, in which he accuses OpenAI leadership of straying from its founding mission.
OpenAI executives have denied the claims, arguing Musk himself previously supported raising major investor capital to compete in the AI industry.
Brockman also referenced earlier meetings at Musk’s California residence during OpenAI’s early days, describing them as part of the organisation’s informal and rapidly evolving founding period.
The trial continues as both sides dispute control, intent and the financial restructuring of one of the world’s most influential AI companies.