In the high-stakes world of tech, rivalries are nothing new. Some unfold like slow chess matches. Others resemble full-on cage fights. And then there’s Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman — a rivalry with no referee, no time limit, and no sign of cooling off.
This week brought the latest clash, sparked by something seemingly small: app rankings in Apple’s App Store. But in typical Silicon Valley fashion, the dispute quickly spiraled into personal attacks, accusations of bias, and even AI bots picking sides.
The Apple–OpenAI Connection
Musk lit the match with a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Apple of tilting its App Store rankings in favor of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
“Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach number one… This is an unequivocal antitrust violation. XAI will take immediate legal action.”
His claim: because Apple signed a deal with OpenAI in 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, the platform is giving ChatGPT preferential placement — leaving Musk’s own AI app, Grok, in the dust.
Apple denied any wrongdoing, saying rankings are determined organically by multiple factors, not by corporate favoritism.
Sam Altman Hits Back
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wasted no time responding.
“This is a remarkable claim given what I’ve heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors.”
Altman was essentially accusing Musk of the same bias he claimed to be fighting — but on his own platform.
Musk countered by calling Altman a liar, pointing out that the OpenAI chief’s posts still drew millions of views. Altman’s retort? The high numbers could be due to “a skill issue… or bots.”
When AI Bots Pick Sides
The feud then took an absurd turn. Musk asked Grok who was right — and his own AI bot sided with Altman.
Not to be outdone, Musk asked ChatGPT the same question. This time, OpenAI’s bot chose Musk. Both men ended up getting validation from their rival’s AI.
It was the kind of tech soap opera twist that could only happen in 2025.
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Musk and Altman’s feud dates back years. The two co-founded OpenAI as a nonprofit, dedicated to advancing AI safely and for the public good.
In 2018, Musk walked away, criticizing the company’s shift toward a for-profit model and raising concerns that the mission was being abandoned in favor of commercialization. Lawsuits were threatened, trust was broken, and the animosity has lingered ever since.
A Political Subplot: Musk and Trump Reconnect
Adding to the intrigue, Musk is reportedly mending fences with former President Donald Trump.
Once close allies, the two had drifted apart over fiscal policies and controversies like the Epstein files. But this week, Musk publicly backed Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. — a highly controversial move.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance even called for Musk to “return to MAGA,” signaling that political alliances may be shifting in real time.
What’s Next?
Given the personalities involved, it’s safe to expect more public sparring — and perhaps an eventual court battle over App Store practices.
For now, the Musk–Altman feud serves as a reminder that Silicon Valley, for all its futuristic ambitions, still indulges in very human rivalries. As one observer put it:
“Tech leaders may think they’re building the future… but sometimes it’s just high school with billion-dollar stakes.”
FAQs
1. Why is Elon Musk accusing Apple of bias?
Musk claims that Apple’s App Store algorithm unfairly favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT due to a 2024 partnership that integrated the chatbot into Apple devices. Apple denies this, saying rankings are based on organic factors.
2. How did Sam Altman respond to Musk’s accusation?
Altman accused Musk of hypocrisy, referencing allegations that Musk manipulates X’s algorithms to promote his own posts and suppress competitors.
3. Why is the Musk–Altman rivalry so intense?
The two co-founded OpenAI but fell out when Musk left in 2018, citing concerns over the company’s for-profit shift. Since then, disagreements over AI ethics, business practices, and personal credibility have fueled their feud.
4. What’s the significance of the AI bots picking sides?
In a twist, Musk’s AI app Grok sided with Altman, while OpenAI’s ChatGPT sided with Musk. While amusing, the episode highlights both the unpredictability — and PR potential — of AI-generated responses.
