Musk flew to China near end of OpenAI trial, after judge warned he could be recalled

Elon Musk arrived successful Beijing connected Wednesday, arsenic his $150 cardinal civilian suit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman played retired successful a California courtroom. 

Whether Musk, the world's richest man, should person traveled overseas during the proceedings is simply a question that could travel up successful court.

At the decision of Musk's testimony successful precocious April, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of San Francisco told Musk helium was taxable to recall, meaning helium could beryllium brought backmost to the basal for further testimony, astatine the petition of attorneys for OpenAI.

"Mr. Musk, you are not excused, but you tin permission for the day. Okay?" Rogers said to the Tesla and SpaceX CEO and X owner, according to a transcript of his testimony. 

Because the proceedings is successful civilian court, Musk, contempt being a enactment successful the lawsuit arsenic good arsenic a witness, was not required to be in-person for the entirety of the trial. The justice did not explicitly nonstop Musk to stay successful the proximity of the courthouse oregon not to travel.

Musk boarded Air Force One Tuesday and flew overnight to China. He and respective different concern leaders were invited to travel to Beijing with President Trump, who is gathering this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The past time of grounds successful the OpenAI proceedings was Wednesday and closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday, meaning Musk volition astir surely beryllium absent for both. 

Musk didn't instantly reply a petition for remark from CBS News.

Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman co-founded the institution arsenic a nonprofit successful 2015. Musk has since near OpenAI and is present suing Altman, alleging helium flouted the nonprofit's archetypal ngo and is prioritizing profits. Musk is seeking to person Altman removed from the company's board, the institution reverted backmost to a nonprofit, and person millions to beryllium transferred to the foundation limb astatine OpenAI.

OpenAI counters that Musk is looking to boost his ain firm, xAI.