By Ricardo Lezama 
The ‘Stargate’ program involves a private industry initiative to invest $500 billion in US based AI, which is focused on developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For his part, Elon Musk is the only major figure voicing criticisms that feel extremely biased. The language was allegedly drawn up by David Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist who has Trump’s ear on this topic more so than Musk, apparently.
For social media conman, Elon Musk, a twink sized opponent in the form of Sam Altman has become even more strengthened due to Donald Trump’s Wall Street backed Project Stargate initiative. Open AI’s CEO, once a sycophantic follower of Musk who pushed through related projects via his Y Combinator position, is now firmly opposed to his ex-benefactor. This will be key in the coming months as the United States attempts to artificially replicate the world’s talent under bluster and conditions that actually make fewer people want to collaborate with the country.
Nevertheless, what appears as a possible lover’s quarrel from the looks of their tainted dispute is making its way to the White House. The Stargate initiative basically is a government blessed program for aligning private capital with some hitherto unspecified government benefits to other major US based corporations.
SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 22, 2025
Since Elon Musk has pigeonholed himself into a government commentator, it appears that he was overlooked by the Trump administration for directing or receiving of aid via the program. However, Sam Altman has taken a page from the Bezos and Zuckerberg playbook of staying neutral until convenient, donating when visible to the campaign and keeping the benefits from his industry accolades.
wrong, as you surely know.
— Sam Altman (@sama) January 22, 2025
want to come visit the first site already under way?
this is great for the country. i realize what is great for the country isn't always what's optimal for your companies, but in your new role i hope you'll mostly put 🇺🇸 first.
As for the lovers quarrel comment, I have no proof for this statement regarding Musk and Altman’s possible relationship, but it should be permissible to opine on this point here and in other platforms, like Meta, as it is a reasonable assumption given the heated nature of their online arguments.
Stargate
On the non-industry side, Trump’s defense of the project has done little to stifle cautionary voices, with some speculating that leaked plans may mask a potential scam. The accusations characterize the initiative as rehashing old ideas for influence and profit, likening the project to a “perpetual motion machine promising infinite returns as long as the last investor keeps buying in”, as one Blu Sky user commented:
Stargate is an uncomfortable Frankenstein of trickle-down economics, and perpetual motion machine promising infinite returns as long as the last investor keeps buying in.
— bravojohnson.bsky.social (@bravojohnson.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Keen observers have pointed out the discrepancy between the grandeur of the proposed AI project and the maligned Foxconn project, which fell short of its promised investment returns and job creation targets. To recall, Foxconn was supposed to build a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin but eventually pulled out. Detractors surmise that Stargate could follow a similar trajectory.
As global curiosity about the reality and potential impact of the Stargate project grows, the initiative’s leaders contend the promised $500 billion will be put toward AI initiatives. The key thing is Musk was not invited to this one and is speaking out against his favorite government official’s latest grandiose announcements, which tells one oodles about the new upcoming White House dynamic.