Elon's Middle East Meltdown: Did Musk Try to Ax AI Deal Out of Spite?

Hello Boys Elon's at It Again

Alright let's get one thing straight: when I hear about billionaires throwing tantrums I usually just roll my eyes and order another plate of Wagyu. But this? This is almost entertaining enough to make me spit out my Krug. Word on the street – confirmed by CNBC so it's basically gospel – is that Elon Musk tried to torpedo a massive AI deal in the Middle East because his little xAI wasn't invited to the party. Seems our boy Elon threw a hissy fit worthy of a toddler denied screen time. 'What's the point of being rich if you can't use it to settle scores?' Exactly!

OpenAI vs. xAI: It's Personal

The real kicker here is that the deal involved OpenAI led by Musk's arch nemesis Sam Altman. These two used to be thicker than thieves building OpenAI together. Now? They're locked in a cage match of egos and lawsuits. Musk apparently went full scorched earth arguing that even Trump wouldn't approve the deal. Classic Musk move. 'Money talks but sometimes you need to whisper.' And sometimes you just need to scream into the void because your ex bestie is winning.

Trump Card? More Like a Joker

The White House bless their hearts tried to play it cool issuing a statement about how the deal was 'another great deal for the American people thanks to President Trump'. Yeah right. More like 'thanks to everyone who isn't currently suing each other'. Musk meanwhile was conveniently hanging out with Trump in Saudi Arabia whispering sweet nothings about fair treatment for all AI companies. As if. 'Loyalty is a one way street.' And in this case that street leads straight to Elon's wounded pride.

DOGE Days Are Over?

Speaking of Trump let's not forget Musk's stint as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) where he was supposedly slashing the federal workforce. Sounds like a perfect job for him: cutting things down to size. His days as a special government employee are numbered which might explain why he's gone full scorched earth. 'What's the point of having fuck you money if you can't say fuck you?'

Stargate: A Gate to What Exactly?

This isn't the first time Musk has thrown shade at the Stargate project. Back in January when Trump unveiled it with all the pomp and circumstance of a Vegas show Musk was quick to call BS on the financing. Turns out he might have been wrong. SoftBank led a $40 billion investment in OpenAI at a $300 billion valuation. Ouch. 'You don't build a future you fund it.' Unless you're too busy trying to tear down someone else's.

The Price of Pettiness?

So what's the takeaway here? Well besides the fact that billionaires are just as petty and insecure as the rest of us it's that even the most disruptive minds can get tripped up by their own egos. Musk's crusade against Altman and OpenAI is starting to look less like strategic business and more like a personal vendetta. And in this game sometimes the biggest risk is yourself. 'I like looking at the financials and I don't care if that makes me a shallow man'. But maybe Elon should have put his ego aside and done the same!