Donald Trump shrugs off Musk's criticism of $500-billion AI project, says he 'hates one of the people in the deal'

elon musk, donald trump

Donald Trump has shrugged off close aide Elon Musk's criticism of a showpiece $500-billion artificial intelligence (AI) project which the US President announced on the second day in his office, saying that the Tesla CEO "hates one of the people in the deal".

Earlier this week, Trump announced that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle are planning a joint venture called Stargate, which will build data centres and create more than one lakh jobs in the US.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison joined Trump during the announcement.

"The Stargate Project is a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States. We will begin deploying $100 billion immediately," OpenAI said in a post on Musk-owned X platform.

Announcing The Stargate Project
The Stargate Project is a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States. We will begin deploying $100 billion immediately. This infrastructure will secure OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 21, 2025

Musk, who has testy relationship with Altman, replied, "They don't actually have the money." He further said, "SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority."

They dont actually have the money Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 22, 2025

During a press conference at the White House on January 23, Trump was asked if Musk's criticism of the AI deal bothered him.

"It doesn't. He hates one of the people in the deal. People in the deal are very, very smart people. But, Elon, one of the people he happens to hate. I have certain hatreds of people, too," Trump said in an apparent reference to Altman.

Speaking about Musk's claims about insufficient funding, Trump said: "I don't know if they do but you know, they’re putting up the money. The government’s not putting up anything, they’re putting up money. They’re very rich people, so I hope they do.”

Altman also criticised Musk. "Wrong, as you surely know. Want to come visit the first site already under way? This is great for the country. I realize what is great for the country isn't always what's optimal for your companies, but in your new role i hope you'll mostly put America first."

wrong, as you surely know.want to come visit the first site already under way?this is great for the country. i realize what is great for the country isn't always what's optimal for your companies, but in your new role i hope you'll mostly put first.
Sam Altman (@sama) January 22, 2025