Elon Musk responded sharply to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's public complaint about a delayed refund for his canceled Tesla Roadster reservation. Altman shared screenshots on X showing a 2018 deposit and a bounced email request, while Musk claimed the issue was resolved within 24 hours. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two tech leaders.
On October 30, 2025, Sam Altman posted on X, describing his experience with a Tesla Roadster reservation as 'A tale in three acts.' He shared screenshots of a 2018 confirmation email for a $50,000 deposit, a recent request to cancel the order and refund the deposit, and a notification that the email to Tesla bounced. Altman wrote, 'I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.'
Elon Musk replied on November 1, 2025, accusing Altman of omitting key details: 'And you forgot to mention act 4, where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours. But that is in your nature.' Musk's response referenced their shared history with OpenAI, which they co-founded in 2015 as a non-profit aimed at developing safe artificial intelligence accessible to all. Disagreements over its direction led Musk to leave in 2018, after which Altman shifted OpenAI to a for-profit model, sparking lawsuits and public disputes. Musk has criticized Altman for prioritizing profits and Microsoft influence, while OpenAI recently restructured with a nonprofit foundation overseeing a public benefit arm.
The Tesla Roadster, unveiled in 2017 as 'the fastest production car ever made,' remains in design development after seven years of delays. During a November 2025 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk described the upcoming prototype as featuring 'crazy technology' that would be 'crazier than all the James Bond cars combined' and potentially unforgettable, with a demonstration expected before the end of the year.
