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Elon Musk Leads $97.4 Billion Bid For OpenAI Control, Sparking Tensions With Sam Altman

Elon Musk is at the forefront of a $97.4 billion bid to acquire the assets of the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, further intensifying his ongoing clash with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The group backing Musk’s bid includes Vy Capital, Xai (Musk’s AI company), Hollywood mogul Ari Emanuel, and other investors.

This move represents Musk’s latest attempt to take control of an organization he co-founded nearly a decade ago. However, the bid faces strong resistance, as OpenAI’s board is closely aligned with Altman, who swiftly dismissed Musk’s offer with a pointed remark: “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” Musk responded with a sharp “Swindler.”

Despite the tense exchange, Musk’s offer complicates OpenAI’s plans to complete a $40 billion fundraising round, which would nearly double the company’s valuation to $300 billion. Led by SoftBank, this deal would position OpenAI among the world’s most valuable private companies, alongside Musk’s SpaceX and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.

OpenAI’s board of directors, which remains loyal to Altman, may need to deal with the complex challenge of compensating the nonprofit that controls OpenAI if they move ahead with Musk’s bid. OpenAI, with over 2,000 employees, is structured with a nonprofit board that has legal control despite its limited resources, with only two employees and $22 million in assets.

Musk’s bid could force OpenAI to pay a high price for separating from the nonprofit board, which has led to legal scrutiny. In the eyes of many experts, Musk’s proposal is an effort to set the nonprofit’s assets at a very high value, which would create challenges for OpenAI’s move to full independence. The nonprofit’s board must ensure that the sale of assets is at fair market value, or they could face questions from charity regulators.

Musk’s aggressive approach signals his intent to reshape the AI industry, with his own AI company, Xai, directly competing with OpenAI. At the same time, Altman has garnered significant support in Washington, securing investments and backing from major players like SoftBank and Oracle.

The ongoing battle for control of OpenAI illustrates the high stakes involved in the race for artificial intelligence supremacy, with Musk and Altman at the center of a high-profile tech showdown.

Tesla’s China-Made EV Sales Surge 35% Amid Fierce Industry Rivalry

Tesla’s China-made electric vehicle sales rebounded in early 2026, with combined deliveries for January and February rising more than 35% to 127,728 units on an adjusted basis. The increase follows seasonal adjustments related to the mid-February Lunar New Year and reflects renewed momentum for Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. The facility supplies vehicles both to China’s domestic market and to export destinations across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region

China’s Robust EV Market

Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) indicates continued growth in China’s electric vehicle market despite intensifying competition among manufacturers. Although Tesla’s deliveries increased during the period, the company still trails Chinese automaker BYD in overall market share. BYD has strengthened its position through new battery technologies, including the Blade battery, which is designed to support significantly faster charging and improved safety.

Competitive Dynamics And Global Footprint

Production at Tesla’s Shanghai facility remains one of the largest sources of EV output globally. However, BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer in 2025, supported by strong overseas expansion and a broader product portfolio. Tesla continues to rely on exports from Shanghai to support sales growth in international markets. Recent data has also shown rising vehicle registrations across several European countries, indicating sustained demand despite increasing competition.

Emerging Competitors And Market Shifts

Competition in China’s EV market has intensified as domestic manufacturers expand their offerings. Automakers such as Geely and Xiaomi are gaining market share by introducing vehicles with competitive pricing and advanced features. In February, one Geely model outsold vehicles from both Tesla and BYD in China, while Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV surpassed Tesla’s Model Y to become one of the country’s top-selling vehicles. The CPCA expects finalized sales data for March to provide further insight into market trends following the Lunar New Year period, which typically includes new model launches and increased production activity.

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