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Elon Musk Tried to Block Sam Altman’s Big AI Deal in the Middle East: WSJ

Elon Musk actively tried to block a major AI partnership involving OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the UAE during President Trump's Middle East visit in early May 2025.
Musk opposed the deal because it excluded his AI company xAI and threatened to withhold Trump's endorsement unless xAI was included in the Abu Dhabi data center project.
The deal, supported by OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank, aims to build the Stargate AI campus in the UAE with a $100 billion investment to expand global AI infrastructure.
Musk expressed doubts about the project's financing, claimed SoftBank had 'well under' $10 billion secured, and publicly criticized Altman, his former partner and current rival.
Despite Musk's efforts and presence alongside Trump in Saudi Arabia, xAI was ultimately excluded, and the partnership proceeded, signaling ongoing rivalry amid Trump's complicated AI strategy.

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CNBC

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Musk-Altman AI rivalry is complicating Trump's dealmaking in Middle East

Elon Musk tried to derail a major AI infrastructure deal in the Middle East, a source confirmed to CNBC

14 hours ago·United States

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The New Republic

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Elon Musk Tried to Sabotage a Trump Deal With a Rival Company

Elon Musk’s proximity to Donald Trump offered him unparalleled influence on the U.S. president—influence that he tried to weaponize.The tech executive openly objected last month to a massive data-center deal in the works between OpenAI—one of Musk’s rival companies in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence—and the United Arab Emirates, according to White House sources that spoke with The New York Times. He complained to Trump’s AI advis…

20 hours ago

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The Independent

Lean Left

Musk tried to block Trump-backed Mideast AI deal unless he was included: report

Elon Musk rushed to the Mideast to hold up a massive Trump-endorsed American AI operation in Abu Dhabi unless it included him, according to a new report

1 day ago·London, United Kingdom

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Raw Story

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Elon Musk tried to stop Trump's Middle East deal with a rival AI company: report

Tech billionaire Elon Musk worked frantically behind the scenes to stop one of President Donald Trump's deals in the Middle East involving a rival artificial intelligence company, The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening."Ahead of Mr. Trump’s trip to the Middle East this month, Mr. Musk obje...

1 day ago·United States

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Anadolu Ajansı

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Musk tried to block OpenAI's UAE data center deal: Report

Tech billionaire warned that Trump wouldn't approve project unless his company xAI was included, says The Wall Street Journal - Anadolu Ajansı

1 day ago·Ankara, Türkiye

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voz.us

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Elon Musk Attempted to Block the OpenIA Agreement to Build a Data Center in the Middle East

Just a few days ago, it was announced that the OpenAI company had reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to build a large data center in Abu Dhabi. The millionaire contract also includes Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank and G4. However, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk tried to "block the deal" if it did not include his company, xAI. Read more]]>

1 day ago

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