Musk flies to China with Trump despite ongoing OpenAI trial

Elon Musk traveled to China with President Donald Trump, despite the trial over his lawsuit with OpenAI and a judge’s order that he remain ready to be recalled.

Elon Musk traveled to China with President Donald Trump this week, despite his ongoing trial over his lawsuit with OpenAI and a federal judge’s order that he remain at the ready to be recalled to testify at short notice.

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The trial is for a lawsuit that Musk filed against artificial intelligence startup OpenAI. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, alleges that the company has betrayed its original nonprofit mission by creating a for-profit arm. He testified in the trial in Oakland, California, over three days last month.

Before Musk left the witness stand April 30, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers asked the parties if there was any reason to hold Musk in “recall status,” meaning that he should be available to testify again if called upon to do so. OpenAI lawyers said, “Yes.” The judge instructed him: “OK, Mr. Musk, you are not excused, but you can leave for the day.”