May 12, 2026 / 6:54 PM / Updated May 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM Musk's lawyer cross-examines OpenAI CEO in trial By Jill Keppeler OpenAI creator Sam Altman and other leaders in artificial intelligence testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Altman took the witness stand Tuesday as OpenAI co-founder Elon sues the company, Altman and President Greg Brockman. File Photo by Anna Rose Layden/UPI | License Photo May 12 (UPI) -- Elon Musk's lawyer started his cross-examination of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in court Tuesday, asking if Altman is honest and if he can be trusted. "Are you completely trustworthy?" lawyer Steven Molo asked Altman as the CEO was on the witness stand, CNBC reported. As Altman said first that he believed so and then amended his answer to simply "yes," Molo pressed him about if he always tells the truth. Altman said that he believes he's "a truthful person." Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, is suing the company and his co-founders -- its president Greg Brockman and Altman -- over their move from a nonprofit to a profit-oriented structure. Musk left the company in 2018. He says the millions of dollars he donated to the company were used for unauthorized commercial purposes, CNBC reported. He also said he wants the company to return to nonprofit status, oust Brockman and Altman from the board and return more than $100 million to OpenAI's nonprofit branch. The trial opened in late April and has been tense at times. When Musk was on the stand, he accused Brockman and Altman of trying to "steal a charity." OpenAI's attorneys have denied this and said Musk is suing because he was unable to gain control of the company and now wants to harm a competitor, CNN reported. Musk's attorney brought up testimony from OpenAI executives and board members earlier in the trial, citing statements that Altman was dishonest and resistant to board oversight. Molo also questioned Altman about his relationship with Musk, asking about a text the CEO sent to Musk in February 2023 saying Altman was "tremendously thankful for everything (Musk had) done to help." Molo asked Altman had since changed his mind about Musk. Altman said he had "significantly" done so. He also said Tuesday that Musk's departure from OpenAI was a "morale boost" for employees and that Musk did not understand "how to run a good research lab."