Elon Musk is clashing with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over the Stargate artificial intelligence infrastructure project touted by President Donald Trump, the latest in a feud between the two tech billionaires that started on OpenAI's board and is now testing Musk's influence with the new president.

President Donald Trump talked up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to AI by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank.

President Donald Trump spoke with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by phone on Friday, ahead of the AI infrastructure announcement, CNBC has learned.

OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle will join forces to create Stargate, a new company investing $500 billion in AI infrastructure. President Donald Trump said of the investment: “A resounding

Musk has emerged as one of Trump’s closest allies in recent months and is set to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency to cut down on government spending. He rarely has spoken out against any of Trump’s initiatives since endorsing him over the summer.

President Trump has announced a major AI initiative called "Stargate" -- but the firms involved have DEI policies that go against his goal of eliminating such programs.

The project backed by Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank was announced by President Donald Trump Jan. 21, but it's not without its detractors.

At a press conference capping his first full day back in the White House, Donald Trump stood beside three of the most influential executives in the world—Sam Altman of OpenAI, Larry Ellison of Oracle,

Elon Musk, a close Donald Trump advisor questioned the value of the investment. Sam Altman responded, saying Elon Musk was “wrong, as you surely know”.

"I genuinely respect your accomplishments and think you are the most inspiring entrepreneur of our time," Altman wrote in an X post to Musk.