Brockman Says Musk Confrontation Left Him Fearing Assault

OpenAI President Greg Brockman testified that he feared Elon Musk might physically strike him during a tense meeting tied to Musk’s exit from OpenAI, according to published reports of the courtroom proceedings.

Brockman, an OpenAI co-founder, recounted the encounter while appearing as a witness in a case involving Musk and OpenAI. Multiple outlets reporting on the testimony quoted Brockman as saying, “I actually thought he was going to hit me,” describing Musk’s anger during a discussion about control of the organization.

The testimony centers on a period when Musk, who helped start OpenAI, was no longer aligned with the company’s leadership and direction. Brockman’s account describes a heated confrontation in which Musk’s demeanor made Brockman believe the situation could turn physical.

The reports did not indicate that Musk struck Brockman or that a physical altercation occurred. Brockman’s statement, as described, was presented as his perception of the moment and his reaction to Musk’s behavior in the meeting.

The exchange is significant because it adds a vivid, personal account to the broader dispute between Musk and OpenAI, a conflict that has become increasingly public. The case has put a spotlight on the organization’s governance and leadership battles, including disagreements over who would control OpenAI and how it would be run.

Brockman’s testimony also illustrates the intensity of the breakup between Musk and the company he helped launch. As OpenAI has grown into one of the most influential players in artificial intelligence, legal and political scrutiny of its structure, leadership decisions, and internal history has increased.

For Musk, the account is another high-profile piece of testimony associated with ongoing litigation involving his relationship to OpenAI. For OpenAI, the statements come amid continued public attention on the company’s leadership and the origins of its governance.

The next steps will depend on the court’s schedule and the remaining witnesses and evidence in the case. Additional testimony may further detail the events surrounding Musk’s departure, the internal discussions described by Brockman, and the wider disputes now being litigated.

As the case continues, Brockman’s description of that meeting is likely to remain a focal point, underscoring how personal conflict and questions of control have shaped one of the tech industry’s most consequential organizations.