Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI has sparked a new round of verbal sparring between billionaire Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the latest chapter in their ongoing years-long dispute.

The escalation began after Musk reposted a post on X addressing Apple's lawsuit and commented that Sam Altman is "taking fraud to a new level," referring to his previous accusations against Altman of turning OpenAI from a non-profit into a profit-seeking company, which Musk continually describes as "fraud."

Altman’s response to Musk's statements

Altman responded to Musk's comments with sarcasm, criticizing his talk about plans to create data centers in space. He wrote: "My friend, you're the one selling investors on short-term space data center ideas," referring to SpaceX's future plans.

Musk was quick to respond, saying that space data centers will start operating next year and added, addressing Altman: "Maybe you can visit them if your parole officer approves." This is a sarcastic reference to the lawsuit facing OpenAI. He also accused Altman of stealing "open-source AI" and then "Apple phone technologies," wondering what else he could do.

The argument continued when Musk posted a screenshot of an old statement by Altman saying he did not own any shares in "OpenAI" and that he worked there “out of love”, to which Musk commented: “He means love, fraud”. He added that Altman “may be the most loving fraudster on Earth”.

In response, Altman said that Musk's renewed interest is proof of the success of the new GPT-5.6 models, saying that "the best indicator that GPT-5.6 is currently the best model in the world is that Elon has become obsessed with me again."

OpenAI had launched its new GPT-5.6 models, including Sol, Terra and Luna, after lifting US restrictions on it.

The dispute between Musk and Altman dates back to 2018 when Musk left "OpenAI" following disagreements over the company's direction, before later suing OpenAI, Altman, and its CEO Greg Brockman for changing the company’s non-profit structure. The trial ended this year with a ruling in favor of OpenAI on one legal point, while Musk announced his intention to appeal the ruling.

This exchange came at the same time as Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI before a federal court, accusing the company of poaching employees from Apple and obtaining confidential information about its future products, which it used in developing the hardware division within OpenAI.

The lawsuit included former Apple employees, including Tang Tan and Chang Liu. Apple also claimed that some candidates for OpenAI were asked to bring confidential Apple components, designs, and materials during job interviews, as well as use confidential information to contact Apple suppliers.

For its part, OpenAI denied the allegations. The company's strategic communications director, Drew Bossetti, said that the company "is not interested in other companies' trade secrets, but focuses on developing innovative technologies that serve users around the world." In its lawsuit, Apple is demanding a stop to any use of its trade secrets, the return of all confidential materials, and the preservation of evidence related to the case.