Trump announces $500B AI project with tech leaders; Musk questions funding, sparking tensions with OpenAI’s Altman over infrastructure venture.
President Trump announced a $500 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure project, dubbed Stargate, during a press event at the White House on Tuesday. He was accompanied by notable tech executives including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son.
Shortly after the announcement, Elon Musk questioned the feasibility of the project, implying that funding might not be secure. He expressed skepticism about SoftBank’s financial backing, stating they have significantly less than necessary. Musk’s comments reflect an ongoing tension between him and Altman, with whom he has a contentious history regarding OpenAI’s direction.
Despite Musk’s criticisms, Altman responded publicly, asserting that the project’s first site is already in progress. He acknowledged Musk’s achievements but urged him to prioritise the country’s interests over his own business strategies.
Microsoft is identified as a technology partner in the Stargate project, indicating its involvement in building the necessary infrastructure. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella defended the project’s viability against Musk’s assertions regarding funding.
