Tesla TSLA closed up 0.69% on Friday with a trading volume of $23.501 billion; the century lawsuit between Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman will go to trial next Monday in Oakland.

Tesla Performance

According to reports from Gold Chart Pattern APP, during the US stock trading session on Friday, April 24, 2026, Tesla (TSLA.US) shares closed up 0.69%, with trading volume reaching $23.501 billion. Against a backdrop of overall strength in tech stocks, Tesla, as a representative of both the electric vehicle and AI concept sectors, maintained a relatively stable trend.

Although the gain was moderate for the day, the high trading volume indicates sustained market attention toward Tesla’s long-term development, especially as it deepens its strategic investments in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving.

Musk Lawsuit

The globally watched legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to officially begin next Monday (April 27, 2026) at the Federal Court in Oakland, California. Jury selection will commence that day, followed by the formal trial. This case, labeled by the market as the “Lawsuit of the Century,” could have far-reaching impacts on the rapidly developing OpenAI.

Musk recently stated that if he prevails, any awarded damages will be donated to charity or OpenAI’s nonprofit division, rather than for personal gain. This stance highlights the public nature of the lawsuit.

Lawsuit Background

Musk first initiated the lawsuit in 2024, accusing OpenAI of abandoning its foundational “nonprofit, open-source, benefit-for-humanity” commitments after receiving a massive investment from Microsoft (MSFT.US). He is seeking damages of up to tens of billions of dollars. However, on the eve of the trial, Musk’s legal strategy has shifted, with the latest complaint including multiple allegations such as breach of contract and fraud.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks, with a witness list including Musk, Sam Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, former OpenAI executives, and other key figures. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will preside over the proceedings.

Impact on AI

The core of this lawsuit lies in whether OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit model violates the founding agreement. This controversy goes beyond personal grievances between Musk and Altman, touching on deeper issues such as the direction of the AI industry, intellectual property protection, and corporate governance.

If Musk prevails, OpenAI may be forced to adjust its business model and even its partnerships, such as with Microsoft. Conversely, if OpenAI prevails, it may give AI companies more legal space to transition from nonprofit to for-profit, accelerating the commercialization of the industry.

Market Reaction

As the lawsuit approaches trial, market focus on Tesla and other AI-related concept stocks is increasing. As Musk’s core listed company, Tesla’s share price to some extent reflects investor expectations about Musk's allocation of attention and the synergy between xAI and Tesla. Although the lawsuit itself may create short-term uncertainty, the overall AI boom continues to support the sector.

The strong performance of semiconductor and tech stocks also indirectly creates a favorable environment for Tesla’s growth segment.

Editor’s Summary

While Tesla closed with a moderate gain, Elon Musk and OpenAI’s lawsuit of the century is about to unfold. This legal battle will not only test the binding force of initial AI commitments but will also influence the evolution of global artificial intelligence business models. Investors need to closely follow the trial’s progress to assess its potential chain reactions on OpenAI’s valuation, Microsoft’s partnership, and the broader Musk corporate ecosystem.

FAQ

Q: What is the core dispute in the lawsuit between Musk and OpenAI?
A: The main issue is whether OpenAI violated its 2015 founding commitments to be nonprofit, open-source, and serve the collective interests of humanity. After receiving massive investment from Microsoft, OpenAI turned toward a for-profit model, which Musk alleges is a breach of the founding agreement. The lawsuit centers on breach of contract, fraud, and corporate governance issues.

Q: When does the trial formally start, and what could be its impact on the market?
A: Jury selection is set to begin on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Federal Court in Oakland, California, followed by several weeks of proceedings. The market is watching how the outcome might reshape governance norms for AI companies. In the short term, this could increase uncertainty related to OpenAI, but in the long term, it may help clarify the boundaries of industry commercialization.

Q: Why did Musk change his legal strategy and state that any damages would go to charity?
A: On the eve of the trial, Musk amended his complaint to emphasize that any damages won would be donated to charity or OpenAI’s nonprofit branch rather than for personal profit. This shift likely aims to underscore the public welfare aspect of the lawsuit and reduce doubt about Musk’s personal motives.

Q: What far-reaching impact could the lawsuit have on OpenAI?
A: If Musk wins, OpenAI may be forced to remove Sam Altman and other executives, adjust its business model, or even impact its cooperation with Microsoft. If Musk loses, the case could set a precedent for AI companies’ transitions from nonprofit to for-profit, accelerating the capitalization of the industry and potentially sparking similar disputes.

Q: How is Tesla’s stock price related to this lawsuit?
A: As Musk’s most important listed company, Tesla’s stock price partially reflects market expectations about how Musk allocates his time and energy. Although the lawsuit may distract Musk, the AI boom and Tesla's focus on autonomous driving and robotics continue to provide long-term growth support. Investors should monitor the lawsuit’s outcome for its impact on the overall valuation of the Musk corporate ecosystem.