Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg: $97 Billion Deal to Acquire OpenAI Sparks Global Buzz

When top tech titans Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg collide, the world pays attention. Recent court filings revealed a shocking twist—Musk tried to bring Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, into a jaw-dropping Elon Musk $97 Billion OpenAI Buyout Plan. The revelation has set the internet ablaze, sparking global debates about power, rivalry, and the direction of artificial intelligence.

A Tale of Two Billionaires

On one side, there's Elon Musk, co-founder of OpenAI who left in 2018 and now leads an AI rival, xAI. On the other, Mark Zuckerberg, who has poured massive resources into AI development at Meta.

Despite their public bouts—including the famous cage‑fight talk—they were once adversaries in the ring of ideas. Now, it turns out Musk approached Zuckerberg with a letter of intent that would have helped fund his bold takeover attempt, but Meta declined to sign on.

Why This Matters

• This move exposes the high‑stakes drama beneath the AI race — where even fierce rivals consider alliances to gain control over game‑changing technologies.
  
  

• The law is now involved. OpenAI is seeking court orders to obtain Meta’s documents related to Musk’s offer, arguing these communications would reveal key motives. Meta resists, saying such internal communications are irrelevant.
  
  

• It spotlights Musk’s ongoing legal battle with OpenAI. He’s suing over its transition toward a for‑profit model, while OpenAI has filed a countersuit accusing him of harassment and interference.
  
  

The Backstories That Matter

• Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but stepped back in 2018 amid disagreements over its profit‑driven direction. He later founded xAI to compete head‑to‑head.
  
  

• Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has aggressively pushed Meta to build its own AI muscle—offering high compensation to top researchers and poaching talent from OpenAI.
  
  

What the Deal Could Have Looked Like

If Zuckerberg had joined, the envisioned acquisition bid for OpenAI could have reshaped the AI landscape. Musk’s letter of intent asked Zuckerberg about “potential financing arrangements or investments”. But OpenAI rebuffed the approach promptly, stating it was not up for sale.

Key Highlights

• The Bid: $97.4 billion offer by Musk-led group (February 2025) to take over the nonprofit controlling OpenAI.
  
  

• Zuckerberg’s Role: Asked by Musk to help fund or invest; Meta ultimately declined.
  
  

• Legal Fallout: OpenAI is subpoenaing Meta for related communications; Meta resists.
  
  

• Underlying Rivalries: Musk vs Altman (AI control), Musk vs Zuckerberg (rival tech empires)
  
  

• Industry Stakes: The race to control AI powerhouses goes beyond technology—it's about influence, governance, and the future of innovation.
  
  

FAQs

Q: How much was the deal for?
A: Musk’s offer was for $97.4 billion to acquire OpenAI’s controlling nonprofit arm.

Q: Did Mark Zuckerberg agree to join the bid?
A: No. Despite discussions, neither Zuckerberg nor Meta signed the offer.

Q: Why are court filings involved?
A: OpenAI believes Meta’s communications about the bid could reveal motivations behind Musk’s approach and has asked the court to compel disclosure. 

Q: What’s the bigger conflict behind this?
A: Musk is suing OpenAI over its shift to a for-profit structure. OpenAI countersued over alleged harassment and interference.

Q: What could happen next?
A: The legal battle will continue, with jury trial expected in spring 2026. Meanwhile, public attention remains fixed on how AI power plays are unfolding behind the scenes.