Sam Altman Demands $50K Refund for Tesla Roadster After 7 Years

UPDATE: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has officially requested a $50,000 refund for a Tesla Roadster he ordered in July 2018. After waiting for over seven years, Altman’s request appears to have hit a snag as his email to Tesla bounced back.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman shared a screenshot of his original order confirmation showing a deposit of $45,000 for the highly anticipated second-generation Roadster. Following this, he sent a follow-up email on Thursday asking to cancel his order and requesting a refund of $50,000, which exceeds his initial deposit. The email, however, was not received.

“I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait,” Altman expressed in his post, highlighting the frustration many potential buyers feel regarding the prolonged delays.

The new Roadster was one of Tesla’s most highly anticipated launches, first unveiled by CEO Elon Musk in 2017. Musk claimed it would be “the fastest production car ever made,” boasting an impressive 0-60 mph time of under two seconds. Production was initially slated to begin in 2020, but has faced multiple setbacks.

During an earnings call in October 2024, Musk acknowledged the delays, stating that Tesla is “finalizing the design” but prioritizing projects with a more significant impact on sustainability. He thanked Roadster deposit holders for their patience while addressing the challenges in bringing the vehicle to market.

At the time of publication, neither Musk nor Tesla have responded to Altman’s request for a refund. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of a legal feud between Altman and Musk. The two co-founded OpenAI in 2015, with Musk serving as an early financial backer before stepping down from the board in 2018.

Since then, Musk has openly criticized Altman’s leadership of OpenAI, leading to a lawsuit filed by Musk against Altman and OpenAI in February 2024. Musk accused OpenAI of deviating from its nonprofit mission, particularly after its partnership with Microsoft. Although Musk withdrew the lawsuit in June 2024, he refiled it two months later.

In a September 10 interview, Altman reflected on his changing views of Musk, stating, “For a long time, I looked up to him as an incredible hero… I have different feelings now.” This ongoing tension coupled with Altman’s refund request underscores a significant rift between the two tech leaders.

OpenAI has recently completed a restructuring, with its nonprofit arm overseeing a new public benefit corporation, OpenAI Group PBC. The company is eyeing a public offering at a staggering valuation of $1 trillion, according to sources.

The situation remains fluid as both Altman and Tesla navigate this developing story. Will Altman receive his refund, or will he continue his wait for a car that may never arrive? Stay tuned for updates.