Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman: Apple Drawn into Legal Feud

Elon Musk’s ongoing rivalry with fellow billionaire Sam Altman is escalating and may soon involve technology giant Apple in a potential legal battle. The core of the conflict revolves around Musk’s claims that Apple is deliberately sidelining his X platform and Grok AI app in its App Store recommendations.

The Conflict Unfolds on Social Media

Musk, who oversees xAI Holdings, the parent company of both the X social media platform and the Grok AI Assistant, expressed his frustration in a recent post on X. He accused Apple of not featuring his apps in its “Must Have” section, questioning the tech giant’s motives:

“Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.”

Legal Threats and Antitrust Allegations

In a follow-up post, Musk stated that xAI Holdings would pursue immediate legal action against Apple, emphasizing the alleged unfairness in App Store rankings:

“Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation.”

However, Musk did not provide concrete evidence to support his claims. His post attracted various community notes, with some highlighting that other apps, like DeepSeek and Perplexity, have reached the top of the App Store despite Apple’s partnership with OpenAI.

Current App Store Rankings

As of Tuesday morning, Grok was listed as the fifth most downloaded free app in the App Store, while OpenAI’s ChatGPT claimed the number one position and featured prominently in the “Try Now” section. This disparity has fueled Musk’s outrage.

Sam Altman Responds

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and Musk’s former colleague, dismissed Musk’s claims. In his own post on X, Altman noted:

“This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn’t like.”

This comment underscores the bitter rivalry that has characterized their relationship since Musk co-founded OpenAI and later initiated xAI in 2023.

Background on Their Rivalry

Musk’s attempt to acquire OpenAI for a staggering $87.4 billion was rejected earlier this year. Reports indicate that OpenAI is now planning to launch a social media platform to contend with X, further intensifying the competition.

Trending Reactions and Speculations

After Musk’s threats toward Apple, the term “X Phone” trended on social media, prompting suggestions that he should develop a device to rival the iPhone.

Apple’s Challenges Ahead

If Musk follows through on his legal threats, it would add another layer of complexity for Apple, which is currently facing a federal lawsuit accusing it of illicitly maintaining its iPhone market dominance through restrictive App Store policies. Apple is also negotiating with the Trump administration over tariffs on its iPhone manufacturing, predominantly based in India.

Conclusion

As the tension mounts between Musk, Altman, and Apple, the tech world watches closely. Will Musk’s claims lead to a significant legal challenge for Apple? The implications of this feud may stretch beyond just personal rivalry, potentially shaking the foundations of the technology ecosystem.

For more information on antitrust issues in the tech industry, click here antitrust laws and to explore the latest in app store policies, visit Apple App Store.

Stay tuned for updates as this high-stakes drama unfolds.