In a spectacle of tech-world drama, Elon Musk has publicly fired back at Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, over a long-running refund dispute involving a reservation for the next-gen Tesla Roadster (second generation). What started as a simple grievance has exploded into one of the most publicised tech feuds of the year.

 The Backstory

Altman revealed via social media that in July 2018 he placed a $45,000 deposit (some sources say ~$50,000) to reserve the futuristic Roadster, which originally had bold promises and a 2020 delivery target. Nearly 7½ years later, in October 2025, he attempted to cancel the order and request a refund. But according to his posts, an email sent to Tesla bounced back with “Address not found.”

Altman said:

“I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.”

 Musk’s Response

Musk didn’t remain silent. He took to his social platform (formerly X) and responded by saying the refund was already processed, calling out Altman’s version of events. Musk posted:

“You forgot to mention act 4, where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours. But that is in your nature.”

He also launched a personal shot at Altman, accusing him of “stealing a nonprofit”—a reference to their past conflict surrounding OpenAI’s origins and structure.

 What’s Going On?

There are several tangled threads here:

The Roadster has been delayed repeatedly: unveiled in 2017, slated for 2020, but still no deliveries.

Altman’s attempt to highlight the delay and his refund experience may also serve as a public dig at Musk’s broader promises and the execution gaps at Tesla.

Musk’s response suggests that the refund was done, but disputes remain around timing, communication, and the narrative.

 Why It Matters

This spat isn’t just about a car—it reflects wider tensions in tech between Musk and Altman, including their rivalry in AI and their shared history at OpenAI.

It adds to the mounting pressure on Tesla and Musk, whose statements about futuristic products (like the Roadster or flying cars) are often met with skepticism.

For consumers and investors, it raises concerns about how reservations, delays and refund processes are handled in high-profile tech companies.

 Bottom Line

Whether or not Altman really waited 7½ years without a refund, or whether Musk is fully accurate in his claim of the refund being processed quickly, one thing is clear: the messaging has become part of the fight. And in a world where tech giants’ reputations matter, this kind of public back-and-forth can shift perceptions.

The Roadster remains a symbol—of hype, of innovation, and now of accountability. Musk may have intended to focus on the product, but the story around the refund is stealing the spotlight.