In the court of public opinion, OpenAI is aggressively framing Elon Musk not as a principled crusader, but as a “vindictive former partner.” While their official statement used the term “harassment,” their broader messaging and past comments paint a picture of a man driven by personal animosity and jealousy over their success.
This narrative is a crucial part of their defense strategy. By attacking Musk’s character and motives, OpenAI seeks to undermine the credibility of his legal claims. The argument is that the lawsuit is not a legitimate antitrust concern, but rather the latest chapter in a long history of petty and spiteful actions from a co-founder who couldn’t get his way.
OpenAI has previously stated they were “sad that it’s come to this,” subtly positioning themselves as the mature, rational party dealing with an emotional and erratic former colleague. They highlight the irony that Musk “told us we would fail” and then “sued us when we started making meaningful progress,” suggesting his actions are rooted in a bruised ego.
This framing turns the legal battle into a personal drama. It asks the public and the court to see the lawsuit not as a fight for fair markets, but as the act of a spurned partner trying to tear down the company he abandoned. This character assassination will be a central and recurring theme in OpenAI’s defense.