Kate Leinbaugh

On his first full day back in the White House last week, President Trump held that press conference with Sam Altman and the CEOs of Oracle and SoftBank.

And this Stargate project is to build data centers, period. That's its mandate.

And this Stargate project is to build data centers, period. That's its mandate.

And this Stargate project is to build data centers, period. That's its mandate.

And it will be used exclusively by OpenAI.

And it will be used exclusively by OpenAI.

And it will be used exclusively by OpenAI.

Stargate backers say they have $100 billion already and that its first data center began construction last year in Texas. The companies didn't disclose how much each partner would contribute. Why was this private enterprise project announced at the White House?

Stargate backers say they have $100 billion already and that its first data center began construction last year in Texas. The companies didn't disclose how much each partner would contribute. Why was this private enterprise project announced at the White House?

Stargate backers say they have $100 billion already and that its first data center began construction last year in Texas. The companies didn't disclose how much each partner would contribute. Why was this private enterprise project announced at the White House?

But in Trump's orbit, very close to Trump, is a tech entrepreneur who's in an open war with Sam Altman.

But in Trump's orbit, very close to Trump, is a tech entrepreneur who's in an open war with Sam Altman.

But in Trump's orbit, very close to Trump, is a tech entrepreneur who's in an open war with Sam Altman.

I think his name is Elon Musk.

I think his name is Elon Musk.

I think his name is Elon Musk.

Elon Musk was a co-founder and early investor in OpenAI, but has been critical of how Altman's been running the company. Last year, Musk sued Altman, OpenAI, and Microsoft for alleged antitrust violations. An OpenAI spokesperson has called the suit baseless and overreaching. Microsoft hasn't commented on the case.

Elon Musk was a co-founder and early investor in OpenAI, but has been critical of how Altman's been running the company. Last year, Musk sued Altman, OpenAI, and Microsoft for alleged antitrust violations. An OpenAI spokesperson has called the suit baseless and overreaching. Microsoft hasn't commented on the case.

Elon Musk was a co-founder and early investor in OpenAI, but has been critical of how Altman's been running the company. Last year, Musk sued Altman, OpenAI, and Microsoft for alleged antitrust violations. An OpenAI spokesperson has called the suit baseless and overreaching. Microsoft hasn't commented on the case.

And in the hours after the Stargate announcement, Musk posted on X that, quote, they don't actually have the money. Altman replied that Musk's assertion was wrong. Then Altman took a swipe at Musk, saying, I realize what is great for the country isn't always what's optimal for your companies. Where was Microsoft in all of this Stargate Twitter drama?