OpenAI cofounder and president Greg Brockman took the stand in federal court on Monday, May 4, 2026, disclosing that his equity stake in the company is currently worth more than $20 billion and potentially up to $30 billion — a figure that could grow further if OpenAI pursues an IPO within the next two years, which Brockman said he believes the company is exploring.
The testimony came during the Musk v. Altman trial, in which Elon Musk’s attorney Steven Molo pressed Brockman on his accumulated wealth and whether he had honored commitments to OpenAI’s nonprofit mission. Molo challenged Brockman directly: “Why not donate that $29 billion to the OpenAI nonprofit?” Brockman responded that he and others had poured “blood, sweat, and tears” into building OpenAI in the years since Musk departed the company.
Molo argued that Brockman and CEO Sam Altman had effectively looted OpenAI’s original nonprofit, which Musk helped fund and create. In its early days, OpenAI told investors and employees that its nonprofit mission took precedence over profit. When OpenAI established its for-profit arm in 2019 — receiving assets from the nonprofit — Brockman was given a significant stake in the new entity. He testified that despite his financial position, his interests remain secondary to OpenAI’s nonprofit mission.
Brockman also noted that OpenAI’s nonprofit foundation holds a stake worth over $150 billion in the company, making it one of the richest nonprofits in history — roughly five times his own ownership interest. OpenAI employees collectively hold about 25 percent of shares, while the foundation holds 27 percent. The nonprofit received less than $150 million from donors in total, Brockman testified, suggesting Musk’s early contributions were not central to the company’s ultimate success.
Two days before the trial began, Musk had messaged Brockman about a potential settlement. When Brockman suggested both sides drop their claims, Musk replied, “By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America.” Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declined to allow the jury to hear that message.
Source: WIRED