A look at the most notorious lawsuits against Elon Musk

Elon Musk is no stranger to controversy. As the richest man on Earth, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has also found himself entangled in numerous legal battles over the years.

From disputes with government regulators to defamation cases and personal controversies, Musk’s larger-than-life persona has often collided with the courtroom.

Here’s a detailed look at ten of the most notable lawsuits involving the tech billionaire.

1. The infamous Tesla “funding secured” tweet

In 2018, Musk tweeted that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share.

The United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) quickly filed a lawsuit, calling the statement “false and misleading.”

Musk and Tesla settled for $20 million each, and Musk stepped down as Tesla’s chairman for three years. 

Shareholders also sued, but in 2023, a jury cleared Musk of liability.

2. Ongoing legal battle with OpenAI

Once a co-founder of OpenAI, Musk later turned into one of its fiercest critics. In 2023, he sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing them of straying from their original mission.

OpenAI countersued, claiming Musk was using “bad-faith tactics” to slow them down. 

The countersuit opens up a new front in the high-stakes - and long-running - battle between two Silicon Valley heavyweights, who both say they are acting in the best interests of OpenAI and the public.

Now, a jury trial is scheduled for March 2026, during which both companies will argue over OpenAI’s transformation and whether it has violated its founding mission.

3. Thai cave rescue defamation case

During the 2018 Thai cave rescue, Musk offered a mini-submarine to help save trapped children. British diver Vernon Unsworth dismissed it as a “PR stunt.”

Musk retaliated by calling him “pedo guy” on Twitter (now X). Unsworth sued for defamation, but in 2019, a US jury found Musk not liable.

4. Sexual misconduct allegation at SpaceX

In 2022, reports emerged that SpaceX paid $250,000 in a severance agreement with a flight attendant who accused Musk of sexual misconduct.

Musk denied the allegations, calling the report a “politically motivated hit piece.” While no lawsuit was filed by the accuser, the story caused Tesla’s stock to tumble.

5. Jeffrey Epstein-related subpoena

In 2023, the US Virgin Islands government sought to subpoena Musk in a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase over its ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

While Musk was not accused of wrongdoing, his name surfaced in the case as investigators probed potential Epstein associates.

6. Custody battle with Grimes

Musk’s personal life also spilled into the courts in 2023 when his former partner, musician Grimes, filed a petition over custody of their children.

In 2024, Grimes’ mother alleged Musk withheld the children’s passports, escalating the dispute further.

7. Defamation lawsuit by Ben Brody

In 2023, Musk was sued by 22-year-old Ben Brody, who claimed Musk falsely linked him to a neo-Nazi brawl in Oregon through posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Brody said Musk’s amplification of conspiracy theories subjected him to harassment. The lawsuit is ongoing, with Musk already deposed in 2024.

8. SEC vs Musk over Twitter stock purchases

The SEC returned to court with Musk in 2023, suing him for refusing to testify about his Twitter stock purchases.

In 2024, a judge ordered Musk to cooperate. By 2025, the SEC escalated its lawsuit, alleging securities violations in his acquisition of the platform.

9. Cyber harassment lawsuit by Olympic boxer Imane Khelif

In 2024, Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif filed a cyber harassment case in France against X, citing “racist, sexist, and misogynistic” abuse she suffered online.

Musk, as the owner of X, was named in the case. Moreover, the famous Harry Potter series author, JK Rowling, was also implicated for her online comments.

10. Paternity lawsuit by Ashley St. Clair

In early 2025, political commentator Ashley St. Clair filed a lawsuit claiming Musk fathered her child, born in September 2024.

The 26-year-old demanded a DNA test, sole custody, and child support. The official birth date and name of the child were redacted, but his first initial is listed as “R.”