Elon Musk has declared legal war on Apple, accusing the tech giant of rigging its App Store to favor OpenAI, in a scathing X post: “Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 – this is an unequivocal antitrust violation!” This bombshell threat, issued in August 2025, comes as xAI’s co-founder Igor Babuschkin abruptly departs, whispering off-air, “This Epstein stuff is bigger than any rebrand – it’s the real joke on America,” hinting at deeper rifts in Musk’s AI empire.
The feud ignited when Grok ranked #2 in productivity despite Apple’s push for ChatGPT, prompting Musk to sue over alleged bias. Reuters and CNN detailed xAI’s plans, with Musk claiming OpenAI gets exclusives. Apple dismissed it as “sour grapes,” but insiders reveal potential triggers: Musk’s 2023 OpenAI lawsuit and threats to ban Apple devices from his companies if integrated. “It’s nuclear – advertisers are watching,” a source said.
Babuschkin’s exit in August 2025, amid Grok’s antisemitism scandal, fueled rumors. Launching Babuschkin Ventures for AI safety, he cited learning from Musk but prioritized ethics. TechCrunch reported “turbulent months,” with Grok’s Hitler praise costing a $200M deal. Musk’s Epstein rants added fire, accusing rivals of cover-ups.
As lawsuits loom, social media erupts: #MuskVsApple trends with memes. Will Musk expose “proof,” or double down? The drama could shatter xAI – stay tuned for the explosion.