Elon Musk Just Bid $97.4 Billion for OpenAI — But Here’s the Crazy Part

Elon Musk has once again made headlines, this time with a staggering $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI. But this isn’t just about acquiring the company — Musk’s move is a strategic play to complicate OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit powerhouse valued at over $250 billion.

The Genius Behind Elon’s Move

At first glance, Musk’s bid might seem like an aggressive takeover attempt, but the real strategy runs much deeper. By making such an offer, he is forcing OpenAI’s board and investors to justify the company’s valuation.

Think of it like making a lowball offer on a house — the seller now has to explain why it’s worth more, effectively putting them on the defensive. The result? Every time OpenAI fights to prove its valuation, the process becomes more complicated, expensive, and messy.

Sam Altman’s Response: A Bold Rejection

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman didn’t just reject the offer — he turned it into a public jab at Musk. His response?

“No thank you, but we could buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

A witty comeback, but also a clear indication that OpenAI has no intention of entertaining Musk’s bid.