May 2, 2026
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Michael's Daily Notes
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Hard to Know Who's Wearing the White Hat in This One.
Two men are facing off in a federal courtroom in Oakland in a battle over the control and direction of OpenAI — and with it, arguably, the future of artificial intelligence itself. Between them, they helped build what many consider the most transformative — and potentially dangerous — technology in human history, and each has warned of AI's existential dangers while sprinting to build it anyway.
Elon Musk testified that AI could "kill us all," slipping in references to “The Terminator” as his testimony concluded. Sam Altman has said AI will "probably, most likely, sort of lead to the end of the world" — but added that "in the meantime, there will be great companies created."
Musk claims Altman took OpenAI — co-founded on the explicit promise of developing AI for humanity's benefit — and turned it into an $85 billion powerhouse, with a blockbuster IPO possibly coming this year. Altman counters that Musk is a sore loser who left the board when he couldn't seize control, then launched his own competing for-profit firm, xAI. Both of those things could be true.
Even the judge is losing patience. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers noted the "ironic" contradiction of Musk building his own AI company while claiming the technology is too dangerous to be run for profit — and reminded both sides this is a case about a charitable trust, not a sci-fi movie.
Musk is seeking up to $150 billion in disgorgement returned to the nonprofit mission, and wants Altman removed entirely. The jury could begin deliberations by May 12. Predictive markets are split — Polymarket gives Musk a 35% chance; Kalshi has it at 53%.
The stakes for the "God Machine" couldn't be higher.
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DAILY POLL
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Who do you want to win the court battle for the future of OpenAI: Altman or Musk? ("Neither" is not an option.)
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TOP STORY
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President Donald Trump told Congress the Iran war had “terminated” at the 60-day legal deadline, arguing a ceasefire pauses the requirement for authorization even as lawmakers from both parties challenge the administration’s interpretation and push for an end to U.S. involvement.
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TODAY'S YOUTUBE
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SPONSORED BY PARX CASINO
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IN OTHER NEWS
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A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll finds Americans growing increasingly pessimistic about their finances amid soaring gas prices, with most saying the U.S. military action against Iran was a mistake and could worsen economic and security risks.
The Pentagon announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany within the next year, carrying out President Donald Trump’s threat amid tensions with Berlin over the war with Iran and raising concerns about the impact on NATO alliances.
Spirit Airlines abruptly shut down after 34 years, canceling all flights and ceasing operations immediately after failing to secure federal funding, leaving thousands of employees jobless and passengers scrambling for alternatives.
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A new analysis finds CEO pay surged in 2025—rising 20 times faster than workers’ wages—as real worker earnings declined and wealth inequality widened sharply, particularly in the United States.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey reversed course to call a special legislative session aimed at redrawing congressional maps, responding to a recent Supreme Court ruling while ongoing legal challenges over alleged voter discrimination remain unresolved.
Analysis suggests Kamala Harris is signaling greater openness to a 2028 run, potentially reshaping an already fluid Democratic field that also includes figures like Gavin Newsom and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez amid shifting party dynamics and generational change.
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MORE NEWS
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Kentucky Derby 2026 betting is underway at Churchill Downs, with Renegade leading the field at 5-1 odds after several scratches reshaped the lineup ahead of Saturday’s race.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions on Cuba—targeting those tied to its government while accusing the island of aligning with Iran, supporting hostile actors, and violating human rights amid escalating U.S. pressure and threats of possible military action.
NFL free agent Shilo Sanders is facing backlash after telling longtime Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot to “go make a sandwich” on social media, sparking criticism and prompting him to double down while accusing her of biased reporting against his brother Shedeur Sanders.
For the Left
Los Angeles’s 911 system is struggling with staffing shortages and missed response targets as California abandons a failed $500 million upgrade, leaving an unreliable legacy network in place while a new statewide system may take years to complete.
For the Right
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said a new Alberta oil pipeline is “more likely than not” amid rising global demand, though the project still faces political opposition and depends on a company stepping forward to build it.
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