# **Elon Musk’s Investment Group Aims to Purchase OpenAI for $97.4 Billion – Sam Altman Responds with Sarcasm**
A consortium of investors spearheaded by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has allegedly proposed a bid to purchase OpenAI, the organization responsible for the highly acclaimed AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The offer, which stands at **$97.4 billion**, was initially reported by *The Wall Street Journal*, as per unidentified sources. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has ridiculed the proposal, intensifying speculation regarding Musk’s true intentions behind the offer.
## **Musk’s Proposal: A Return to OpenAI’s Foundational Goals?**
As per Musk’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, the bid was put forward on **Monday, February 10, 2025**, with the objective of steering OpenAI back to its foundational purpose of being an **open-source, security-oriented, and non-profit entity**.
> *“It is time for OpenAI to restore its status as the open-source and security-centric force for good that it once embodied,”* Toberoff commented to CNBC.
The investors have further committed to **match any rival proposals** from other potential buyers, demonstrating a firm resolve to acquire OpenAI. Nonetheless, OpenAI has not officially recognized the receipt of the offer, and insiders within the organization indicate that no formal discussions have been initiated.
## **Altman’s Sardonic Comeback**
Instead of engaging in genuine negotiations, OpenAI CEO **Sam Altman turned to X (formerly Twitter) to ridicule Musk’s bid**. In a post that garnered significant attention, Altman jested:
> *“No thank you, but we would consider purchasing Twitter for $9.74 billion if you’re interested.”*
This remark alludes to Musk’s controversial **$44 billion purchase of Twitter in 2022**, which has since been renamed X. Musk’s management of the platform has faced widespread criticism due to its handling of misinformation, hate speech, and political interference.
Musk’s response to Altman’s tweet was remarkably succinct, reportedly featuring a single-word insult, but he has not provided any further clarification.
## **The Intricate Relationship Among Musk, Altman, and OpenAI**
The connection between **Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and OpenAI** has been multifaceted. Both Musk and Altman were part of the **founding team of OpenAI in 2015**, designed as a **non-profit organization** focused on advancing artificial intelligence for the greater good.
However, in **2018, Musk stepped away from OpenAI**, citing possible conflicts of interest with Tesla’s AI projects. Since that time, he has **consistently criticized OpenAI**, alleging that it has **deviated from its initial objectives** by morphing into a for-profit organization in 2019.
In **March 2024, Musk even initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI**, claiming that the organization had violated its founding principles by favoring commercial benefits over public welfare.
## **A Strategic Initiative or a Sincere Proposal?**
Musk’s proposition for OpenAI arises at a moment when he is already embroiled in various controversies. Since **Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025**, Musk has assumed a critical role in the **Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)**, where he has implemented drastic cost-reduction strategies across U.S. governmental bodies.
Furthermore, Musk has been **actively involved in international politics**, including making provocative remarks about European leaders and participating in the **German federal election campaign**. His latest public appearances have also ignited debate, with one event involving a gesture interpreted as a **Nazi salute**.
Amid this environment, some analysts conclude that Musk’s offer to acquire OpenAI is **not a legitimate business endeavor, but more likely a political strategy**. The **$97.4 billion proposal falls significantly short of OpenAI’s current valuation of $157 billion**, sparking speculation that the bid may be more about **public relations and influence than it is about a genuine acquisition**.
## **What Lies Ahead for OpenAI?**
Currently, OpenAI has **not issued a public statement** regarding Musk’s offer, apart from Altman’s wry tweet. However, in light of the company’s **substantial financial support from Microsoft and other key investors**, it seems improbable that OpenAI would take Musk’s proposal seriously.
As developments progress, it remains uncertain whether Musk will **raise his bid, consider legal avenues, or redirect his attention elsewhere**. One thing is clear: the struggle over the future of artificial intelligence is far from concluded.
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### **Concluding Remarks**
Elon Musk’s endeavor to purchase OpenAI has reignited discussions surrounding **corporate domination of AI**, the significance of **open-source initiatives**, and the **ethics surrounding artificial intelligence**. Whether this represents a sincere attempt to recapture OpenAI’s original goals or a tactical diversion, the technology community will be observing intently.