Musk’s Threat to OpenAI Leaders Mirrors Twitter ‘World War III’ Rhetoric in Court

Musk entered the OpenAI trial already under a cloud of aggressive messaging. Two days before his testimony, he messaged Brockman after the latter suggested both parties drop their claims. Musk replied, “By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so it will.” The message could be admitted as evidence of Musk’s motive for pursuing the lawsuit, which alleges that OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission under Altman’s leadership.

During his opening testimony, Musk appeared flustered and conceded several points. He retreated from earlier warnings that artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat and admitted he lacks knowledge of AI safety at his own venture, xAI. The shift weakened his position and opened the door for Brockman to testify about the threatening text when he takes the stand.

The tone of Musk’s OpenAI threat recalls language used in a separate 2022 case over his attempted purchase of Twitter. In that lawsuit, Musk’s lawyers warned Twitter executives and their heirs that forcing the deal would trigger “World War III until the end of time for real.” The threat was tied to a renegotiation demand that the purchase price be based on a “420‑joke” valuation. Musk also hinted he could access all company records if the deal closed.

Both incidents illustrate a pattern of Musk leveraging extreme rhetoric to pressure opponents in high‑stakes litigation. In the OpenAI case, the threat may become a focal point if the court permits Brockman’s testimony, potentially exposing Musk’s intent to intimidate rather than negotiate. In the Twitter case, the “World War III” warning highlighted Musk’s willingness to frame legal resistance as an existential battle.

What to watch next: the court’s decision on whether Brockman’s message can be admitted, and how Musk’s testimony will influence the jury’s view of his claims against OpenAI.