trust question – With closing arguments delivered, jurors must decide whether OpenAI did anything wrong while transforming into a slightly more for-profit organization. In the trial’s final days, trust became a central fault line—starting with whether Sam Altman’s congressiona
The courtroom question in the closing stretch of the Elon Musk–OpenAI trial wasn’t just what OpenAI did—it was who can be believed now that the company is reshaping itself into a “slightly-more-for-profit organization.” Lawyers for Elon Musk and OpenAI wrapped up their closing arguments this week. leaving jurors to decide whether OpenAI did anything wrong as that shift unfolded.
But as jurors listened to how key executives answered tough questions. the theme that kept surfacing was trust. particularly whether OpenAI CEO Sam Altman deserved it.. Musk’s attorney Steve Molo pressed Altman on whether statements Altman made during congressional testimony were truthful—an effort to test credibility at the exact moment the trial asked for a final verdict.
Kirsten Korosec. Sean O’Kane. and Anthony Ha—speaking on the latest episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast—put the scrutiny in plain terms: if jurors can’t clearly separate what happened from what was intended. the case becomes as much about confidence as it is about facts.. Korosec said trust isn’t only an issue for Altman. pointing out that the public doesn’t have full visibility into privately held AI labs. “there’s a lot behind the veil still.”
The discussion also pulled in the wider credibility tension inside the industry.. Korosec said the question of trust stretches beyond a single CEO. because “we don’t have the insight. necessarily — these are all privately held companies.” She added that even if the intent is “worthy” or “noble. ” it can still end in misuse. describing how it “can still end up as a bit of a shit show.”
In the trial’s most specific credibility dispute. Ha said Altman’s testimony came under pressure: he was “basically getting grilled about some statements he’s made in the past. ” including testimony to Congress where he said he didn’t have any equity in OpenAI.. Ha noted why that claim was contested—because Altman had a stake through Y Combinator. which he used to run—and why Musk’s side treated the explanation as implausible.. Ha said Altman tried to brush it off by saying. “I assume that everybody understands what it means to be a passive investor in a VC fund.” Musk’s lawyer. Ha added. pushed back: “Really?. You think the congressman who was interviewing you knew that?”
The contrast that Korosec emphasized wasn’t just the accusations, but the tone of the answers.. She said Musk. in multiple scenarios. had put out claims “on Twitter that was a lie or a bit of a fib. ” and that when he corrected the record on the stand. the approach was combative.. By contrast. Korosec said Altman’s style came off as more affable and responsive—“I’m working on it”—and that the difference in demeanor stood out even when the underlying issue was whether statements were truthful.
After all the debate over equity. intent. and statements made on the stand. the closing day is now about how jurors weigh credibility.. A recurring pattern runs through the arguments: Altman faced questions tied to prior testimony about whether he held equity. while Musk’s side challenged the details of that explanation—and then Korosec compared the courtroom posture of each CEO. from combative correction to a more affable “working on it” posture.
For now. the trial “wraps up today. ” and the verdict will land after a process that already left participants feeling the strain.. Ha said he started the week wondering how much of Musk’s goal—described as “trying to sling mud” at a perceived rival who he felt had slighted him—had actually been accomplished.. He didn’t claim the outcome was decided. but he said one sentiment was shared by many who sat through the fight: “I think all these people came out of this looking a little bit worse.”
Elon Musk OpenAI trial Sam Altman testimony trust in AI labs Steve Molo congressional testimony Y Combinator stake Equity podcast cybersecurity technology news