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Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”

April 28, 2026 / 01:28

This episode discusses the upcoming court case between Elon Musk and Sam Altman regarding OpenAI's transition to a for-profit model. Musk is seeking over $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, along with Altman's removal from the board. The conversation highlights Musk's motivations and the implications for OpenAI's reputation.

The hosts speculate on Musk's chances of winning the case, noting that he may have more to lose and could settle before or during the trial. They discuss Musk's desire for control over OpenAI and his reaction to its success as a leading AI platform.

There is a focus on the reputational stakes for both Musk and Altman, with the hosts suggesting that public perception may favor Altman over Musk. The dialogue reflects on Musk's broader ambitions across various industries and his reaction to losing influence in the AI sector.

TL;DR

Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Sam Altman for $150 billion over its for-profit shift.

Episode

1:28
00:00:00
Elon Musk and Sam Alman are headed to
00:00:01
court this week over OpenAI's conversion
00:00:04
to a for-profit entity. Musk is asking
00:00:06
for over $150 billion in damages from
00:00:09
OpenAI and Microsoft and for Altman to
00:00:11
be removed from the company's board. You
00:00:13
know, most of the odds are Musk will not
00:00:15
win. But I can't believe they didn't
00:00:16
settle cuz my only thing is Musk loves
00:00:19
this. He's already a villain. And when
00:00:21
you start wrestling with a pig, the pig
00:00:23
likes it and you get filthy. And so I
00:00:25
don't think it's good for open AI. My
00:00:28
initial reaction was that Musk has more
00:00:30
to lose and that he'll settle right as
00:00:32
the trial is beginning or right after it
00:00:34
starts because
00:00:35
>> Oh, okay. Tell me why.
00:00:37
>> The basic premise is this is supposed to
00:00:38
be a nonprofit focusing on protecting
00:00:41
the public from AI. Okay. He then my
00:00:44
understanding is he wanted to control
00:00:46
it. And then when Altman said no, he
00:00:48
said then I'm taking my ball and I'm
00:00:50
leaving. And then when it converted to
00:00:51
become the leading AI platform in the
00:00:53
world, he went [ __ ] crazy. It's also
00:00:55
a duel of their reputations. Now, Elon's
00:00:58
full-on villain now, right? So, it'll be
00:01:00
interesting to see how the jury thinks
00:01:01
of him. As much as they'd like to paint
00:01:03
Sam as this oily liar, I don't think
00:01:05
it's sunk in with most people. I think
00:01:08
they all know Elon Musk is a giant
00:01:10
[ __ ]
00:01:10
>> He owns space, he owns EVs, he owns 180
00:01:14
character messaging application, but
00:01:15
because he [ __ ] up and sold the best
00:01:18
corner of AI, he now wants it back.
00:01:20
>> He wants everything. Yeah. He's this
00:01:22
greedy [ __ ] Yeah.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 70
    Most shocking
  • 70
    Most talked-about
  • 70
    Most influential
  • 65
    Most intense

Episode Highlights

  • Musk vs. Altman: The Court Battle
    Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Sam Altman for over $150 billion in damages.
    “Musk loves this. He's already a villain.”
    @ 00m 16s
    April 28, 2026
  • The Stakes of Reputation
    The trial is a duel of reputations, with Musk's villain image at play.
    “Elon Musk is a giant [ __ ].”
    @ 01m 10s
    April 28, 2026

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Villain Dynamics00:16
  • Reputation Duel00:58
  • Greedy Ambitions01:22

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