TLDR Following Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI, Elon Musk labeled Sam Altman a scammer on X Apple’s federal complaint alleges OpenAI stole trade secrets related to upcoming hardware products F
The bitter feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has flared up once more. Apple’s recent federal legal action against OpenAI provided Musk with new opportunities to criticize his former business partner.
On X, Musk reposted content highlighting a past statement from Altman, commenting: “He takes scamming to a whole new level.” He further quipped that Altman would likely require his parole officer’s permission before touring a SpaceX facility, making a direct reference to the Apple litigation.
homeboy you're the one sellling public market investors on short-term space datacenters https://t.co/wTYSA4q3Qx
— Sam Altman (@sama) July 11, 2026
Altman quickly responded to the provocations. Referring to Musk as “homeboy,” he suggested Musk was “selling public market investors on short-term space datacentres,” targeting SpaceX’s promotional efforts around satellite-based computing infrastructure.
The verbal sparring continued to intensify. Musk shared an image showing Altman’s previous statements about having zero equity stake in OpenAI and working purely from passion. Musk’s commentary read: “By ‘this’ he means scamming,” adding that Altman “might literally love scamming more than any human alive.”
Altman concluded the exchange with his own interpretation. He suggested Musk’s renewed fixation demonstrated that OpenAI’s recently launched GPT-5.6 Sol model represented the world’s most advanced AI system. The GPT-5.6 series, which includes Sol, Terra, and Luna variants, became publicly available Thursday following the removal of U.S. regulatory constraints.
Apple has initiated federal litigation against OpenAI, alleging misappropriation of proprietary information and contractual violations. The legal complaint focuses on OpenAI’s recruitment strategies and hardware development plans.
The lawsuit specifically identifies Tang Tan, who serves as OpenAI’s chief hardware officer after his tenure as Apple’s vice president of product design, where he contributed to iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods development. Chang Liu, another former Apple team member, is also named in the complaint.
According to Apple’s allegations, OpenAI actively encouraged prospective employees to provide confidential documentation, physical hardware samples, technical blueprints, and unreleased product information during the hiring process. The filing further contends that OpenAI leveraged Apple’s proprietary data to establish relationships with Apple’s manufacturing partners.
Apple’s legal demands include injunctive relief preventing further use of its confidential information, return of all proprietary materials, and preservation of relevant documentation.
OpenAI has categorically rejected these accusations. A company representative stated: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
Musk was among OpenAI’s original founders in 2015, contributing substantial financial resources during its formative period before departing in 2018 following strategic disagreements. He subsequently initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI, Altman, and Greg Brockman, challenging the organization’s evolution away from its nonprofit origins.
That litigation proceeded to trial this year. The jury delivered a verdict unfavorable to Musk based on statute of limitations considerations, prompting his announcement of an appeal.
Additionally, last month a federal magistrate dismissed Musk’s distinct trade secret claim concerning OpenAI, determining that Musk failed to present adequate proof that OpenAI had wrongfully obtained confidential information related to his Grok technology.
SpaceX’s artificial intelligence department unveiled Grok 4.5 recently, interpreted by industry observers as a strategic response to OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 launch.
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