OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises Tesla Roadster after $50,000 refund spat with Elon Musk

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has praised Tesla’s newly unveiled Roadster 2, putting a positive spin on his previous public disagreement with Tesla CEO Elon Musk over a $50,000 reservation refund for the electric sports car.

On October 16, Altman posted on X that the new Roadster looked impressive, congratulating Musk on the vehicle.

“Wow the new roadster looks quite amazing, good job @elonmusk” wrote Altman.

The comment followed Tesla’s unveiling of the car, which Musk described as a step towards a future with flying cars.

The Roadster’s new features include cold-gas thrusters that can propel the vehicle into the air for brief periods, alongside a system designed to generate suction beneath the car. Tesla says the technology can help stabilize the vehicle during flight, while its fan system and active wings are designed to increase downforce and improve traction.

“Back to friends???” read one comment. "I still think about the feud," another person wrote. "Sam, the car is very beautiful, I think you should buy it too," a third person added. "Wo got Sam Altman praising Elon Musk before GTA 6," said another.

How the $50,000 refund dispute began

The exchange comes after a public disagreement between the two executives in October 2025. On October 31 that year, Altman said he had cancelled his Roadster reservation nearly seven and a half years after booking the vehicle. He also sought a refund of the $50,000 reservation payment.

Altman subsequently claimed that the email address used to send his original payment confirmation was no longer active and that he had not received the money back.

“And you forgot to mention act 4, where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours. But that is in your nature,” Musk said.

Musk disputed Altman’s account, saying the refund issue had been resolved and that the money had been returned within 24 hours. He also criticised Altman’s leadership of OpenAI, accusing him of having taken the nonprofit organisation away from its original structure.

Musk takes aim at OpenAI’s structure

During the exchange, Musk wrote, “You stole a non-profit,” referring to OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit organisation to a capped-profit model under Altman’s leadership.

Following a subsequent restructuring, OpenAI comprises the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation and the for-profit OpenAI Group.