The fight over the future of artificial intelligence just got messier. The OpenAI vs Musk legal battle now has a surprising twist: lawyers are dragging Meta into the drama. Court filings show that OpenAI is pressing Mark Zuckerberg’s company to produce documents about its possible involvement in Elon Musk’s staggering $97 billion takeover bid for OpenAI earlier this year.

It’s a case that feels like Silicon Valley gossip crossed with Succession only this time, the prize isn’t a media empire, but control of the most influential AI company in the world.

1. Why Meta Is Suddenly in the Spotlight

OpenAI’s lawyers claim Musk spoke with Zuckerberg about financing xAI’s takeover bid. While it’s unclear if any deal was ever close, the court wants to know whether Meta helped Musk or explored joining forces.

• OpenAI subpoenaed Meta in June 2025
• Meta objected in July, refusing to hand over documents
• Now, OpenAI wants a court order to force compliance

Meta, for its part, insists it never signed Musk’s letter of intent and that its internal AI discussions are irrelevant to the case.

2. Musk’s $97B Bid for OpenAI

Back in February, Musk shocked the tech world by making an unsolicited $97 billion offer to acquire OpenAI. The bid was rejected, but it raised eyebrows:

• Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018 after clashing with leadership
• He has since launched xAI, his own AI company
• He’s been highly critical of OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model

The lawsuit Musk filed centers on whether OpenAI’s restructuring into a public benefit corporation violates its original mission.

3. Meta’s High-Stakes AI Ambitions

Even without Musk, Meta has its own AI frustrations.

• Court documents show that in 2023, Meta executives obsessed over creating a model stronger than GPT-4
• By early 2025, Meta’s AI reportedly lagged behind, angering Zuckerberg
• Meta poured $14 billion into Scale AI and launched Meta Superintelligence Labs, hiring top OpenAI researchers like Shengjia Zhao

Clearly, Meta isn’t sitting on the sidelines in the AI race which is why its potential ties to Musk matter so much.

4. The Zuckerberg–Musk Rivalry

What makes this all so fascinating is the history between the two billionaires:

• Musk once challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match (it never happened, thankfully)
• Both men are battling for dominance in AI, social media, and even space (SpaceX vs. Meta satellite ambitions)
• And now, whispers suggest they might have considered aligning, however briefly, against OpenAI

It’s a reminder that in Silicon Valley, yesterday’s rival can become today’s business partner if the stakes are high enough.

5. OpenAI’s Legal Strategy

OpenAI isn’t just worried about Musk’s lawsuit — it’s trying to protect its restructuring plans, which pave the way for more investment and possibly a future IPO. By pulling Meta into the case, OpenAI may be aiming to show that Musk sought allies to undermine its credibility.

6. What’s Next in the Case

Meta’s lawyers argue that any relevant information can be obtained directly from Musk and xAI. Still, the court could compel Meta to hand over:

• Emails or communications between Musk and Zuckerberg
• Records of Meta’s internal discussions about OpenAI
• Any financing proposals tied to xAI’s bid

If those documents exist, they could reshape how the case and the future of AI competition unfolds.

7. Why This Matters Beyond Silicon Valley

At its core, this isn’t just about billionaires fighting. The OpenAI vs Musk lawsuit touches on:

• Corporate governance: Should AI companies be nonprofits, for-profits, or something in between?
• Market dominance: Who will control the most advanced AI OpenAI, Meta, xAI, or someone else?
• Ethics & safety: Will the race for AI supremacy sideline concerns about risks to society?

The OpenAI vs Musk drama already had plenty of intrigue, but Meta’s potential role raises the stakes even higher. Whether Zuckerberg and Musk seriously discussed teaming up or not, the fact that this question is in court shows how cutthroat the AI race has become.

One thing’s clear: this battle isn’t just about tech. It’s about power, money, and the future of intelligence itself.