OpenAI’s legal team has raised questions over Meta’s role in Elon Musk’s reported $97 billion takeover bid. According to sources familiar with the matter, OpenAI believes Meta may have had behind-the-scenes involvement that could influence the outcome of the high-stakes deal.
The information became public through a court filing on Thursday in Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. OpenAI’s lawyers said they asked Meta in June to provide documents about its possible role in Musk’s unexpected $97 billion offer to buy the startup in February. The filing doesn’t confirm if those documents exist. In the end, OpenAI turned down Musk’s offer.
In June 2025, OpenAI’s lawyers sent a subpoena (a legal order) to Meta, asking for documents and emails that might show Zuckerberg’s involvement. Meta refused in July, saying the request was unnecessary and that Musk or xAI should provide any important information instead. OpenAI has now asked a judge to force Meta to hand over the documents.
OpenAI wants to know if Musk was serious about the $97B offer or if the move was just a strategy to disrupt the company. Musk and OpenAI have been in a bitter legal fight. Musk says OpenAI abandoned its original non-profit mission. OpenAI argues that Musk’s takeover attempt was a “sham bid” meant to harm them. A U.S. judge has allowed the case to move forward, with a jury trial set for spring 2026.
