DLNews Technology:
The battle for technological supremacy took a dramatic turn as the announcement of the Stargate initiative—a $500 billion AI project touted by President Donald Trump as a game-changer for U.S. innovation—was met with an icy takedown by none other than Elon Musk. The billionaire tech mogul didn’t mince words, accusing the initiative’s backers of being more bluster than bankable.
“They don’t actually have the money,” Musk posted on X, his own social media platform. “SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority.” Musk’s jab was a direct hit at the financial backbone of the ambitious project, championed by SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle, with an initial investment of $100 billion and aspirations to quintuple that amount in the coming years.
Standing in the White House flanked by the leaders of these corporate heavyweights, President Trump praised Stargate as a bold step forward in securing America’s dominance in artificial intelligence. “This will create American jobs, protect our technology from adversaries, and bring AI infrastructure to unprecedented heights,” Trump declared. “We’re making America the AI leader—believe me.”
But Musk, known for his candor and rivalry with Stargate co-architect Sam Altman, was quick to punch back. The two are embroiled in a lawsuit over OpenAI’s shift from its nonprofit origins, with Musk accusing Altman of keeping the most advanced AI tech locked behind paywalls. For Musk, this isn’t just business—it’s personal. And, as it turns out, political.
Musk’s growing proximity to the Trump administration has raised eyebrows. From his Oval Office appearances to his advocacy for controversial pardons—including that of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht—Musk has proven to be both an ally and a wild card in Trump’s orbit. Yet, his criticisms of Stargate signal that even proximity to power doesn’t guarantee alignment.
Altman, in true Silicon Valley style, took to X to clap back. “Wrong, as you surely know,” he fired off in response to Musk’s critique. “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.”
The tit-for-tat spilled into the press room, where White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the initiative with a mix of optimism and defiance. “The American people should take President Trump and those CEOs at their word,” Leavitt said during a Fox News interview. “This is about securing our future. Our adversaries, like China, are already leaps ahead, and we can’t afford to lag behind.”
Critics, however, remain skeptical. While the companies involved have yet to disclose exactly how they’ll raise the staggering funds, insiders suggest they could use debt financing or attract additional investors. For now, though, the financial roadmap is as murky as the political maneuvering.
One thing is sure: Stargate is shaping up to be more than just an AI project—it’s a battleground of egos, economics, and ambitions. As Musk and Altman continue their public sparring, the rest of us wonder whether this initiative will truly propel America forward or merely become another casualty in the war of the Titans.
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