Musk’s China trip during OpenAI trial prompts apology from his lawyer

Lead counsel for Elon Musk, Steven Molo, issued an apology to the jury for Musk’s absence during the closing arguments of the Musk-Altman trial. Molo reassured the jury of Musk’s passion for the trial despite his absence.

The trial in federal court revolves around Musk’s lawsuit against his OpenAI co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, over allegations of violating a promise to keep the company nonprofit and enriching themselves through business restructuring.

Although Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers placed Musk on “recall status” to be available for court testimony, Musk accompanied President Donald Trump to China during the closing arguments.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, already testified during the initial phase of the trial.

Witnesses in a trial typically need permission to travel, but it is unclear whether Musk sought permission before traveling to China with President Trump.

Altman and Brockman were present in the Oakland courtroom during the closing arguments, while Musk was absent.

During the closing arguments, OpenAI’s counsel highlighted Musk’s desire to turn the organization into a for-profit entity, citing evidence that Musk wanted control over the business or a potential merger with Tesla.

Despite Musk’s claims of attaching specific conditions to his donations to OpenAI, the defense argued that Musk failed to substantiate his case, with even close associates unable to support his assertions.