OpenAI vs. xAI: The Feud Extends to Apple as Musk Threatens Lawsuit

The long-running feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has taken a new turn, with Musk threatening to sue Apple over its App Store policies. Musk’s AI startup, xAI, alleges that Apple is guilty of an “unequivocal antitrust violation” by favoring OpenAI in its app rankings. Musk’s posts on X questioned why his Grok app is ranked fifth while OpenAI’s ChatGPT holds the number one spot, calling the disparity evidence of an unfair system.
The public exchange on X was a series of pointed remarks. Altman responded to Musk’s claims by questioning the billionaire’s own alleged manipulation of the X platform’s algorithm, a claim that has been widely reported. The two have been at odds since Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, left the company in 2018. The feud has included two lawsuits from Musk against OpenAI, with Altman consistently framing Musk as a bitter ex-partner.
Musk’s claim that Apple’s App Store is unfairly biased has been challenged by information from the community on X. Users pointed out that other AI apps, including DeepSeek and Perplexity, have reached the number one spot in different markets this year. This factual evidence undermines Musk’s central argument that the top ranking is exclusively for OpenAI. The irony was further highlighted when xAI’s own chatbot, Grok, sided with Altman when asked about the dispute.
Musk’s legal threat against Apple comes at a time of increased regulatory scrutiny on the tech giant. Apple is already facing an antitrust lawsuit from the US Department of Justice and a massive fine from the EU over its App Store policies. Musk’s public allegations add another high-profile voice to the chorus of critics, further complicating Apple’s legal and regulatory battles.