The week before Thanksgiving 2023 turned into Silicon Valley's biggest spectacle. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was suddenly removed from his position over claims he wasn't being "consistently candid" with the board. The incident unfolded almost in real time, with details shifting by the hour as insiders leaked information to journalists. Now, through testimony in Musk v. Altman, the public finally has concrete evidence of what actually transpired behind closed doors.
Mira Murati, who served as OpenAI's CTO during the crisis, has become central to understanding the ouster. Her deposition testimony reveals the internal dynamics that led to Altman's removal and provides the most detailed account of those chaotic 48 hours. The trial exhibits and witness statements paint a picture far more nuanced than the vague statement the board initially released about Altman's communication issues with leadership.
What makes this moment unusual is how much of the power struggle played out publicly from the start. Employees, investors, and board members weighed in via social media and press reports, creating a narrative that shifted constantly. The Musk litigation is now filling in the gaps between what was said publicly and what was actually happening in private meetings. For an industry that often keeps its internal drama sealed, this trial has become an unprecedented window into how leadership conflicts really get resolved at the top.
