US charities received an estimated $617.2 billion in donations last year, a 5.7% increase from the previous year, marking the first time annual giving has exceeded $600 billion. The surge was driven by a strong stock market, particularly benefiting deep-pocketed donors and charitable bequests.
Elon Musk took the stand as the first witness in his lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing the AI company of abandoning its nonprofit mission. Musk testified about his role in founding OpenAI as an open-source counterweight to Google, his concerns about AI risks dating back to conversations with Larry Page, and his belief that the shift to for-profit structure violated the company's founding principles. The trial began April 27, 2026, with the lawsuit originally filed in November 2024.
A trial pitting Elon Musk against OpenAI opened in California, with Musk claiming the company 'stole a charity' after donating $38 million to the non-profit before it opened a commercial arm in 2018. Musk is seeking billions in damages and wants CEO Sam Altman ousted, alleging breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment. OpenAI's lawyer said the lawsuit is motivated by Musk trying to kneecap a competitor, noting his own xAI venture lags behind ChatGPT.
Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI went to trial on Monday, April 27, 2026, with the Tesla CEO accusing Sam Altman and Greg Brockman of stealing a charity. Musk, who founded OpenAI as a non-profit in 2015, is seeking $150 billion in damages to be directed to OpenAI's charitable arm. OpenAI has dismissed the case as competitive jealousy, noting Musk now runs rival AI company xAI.
