Elon Musk responds to Sam Altman's claim he hasn't got $50K Tesla Roadster refund after 7.5-year wait
Published on Nov 03, 2025 at 2:23 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Nov 03, 2025 at 2:24 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed he cancelled his Tesla Roadster reservation after waiting 7.5 years, and appeared to say he still hadn’t received his $50,000 refund.
The post quickly went viral, prompting a sharp response from Elon Musk himself.
The Tesla founder jumped in on X to give his version of events.
The moment reignited the ongoing tension between two of the tech industry’s biggest power players.
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Altman comments on Roadster refund, Elon Musk responds
Tech entrepreneur and OpenAI founder Sam Altman was pleased to have originally paid $45,000 back in 2018 to reserve Tesla’s long-delayed Roadster EV.
This week, he shared screenshots of his Tesla Roadster cancellation request, writing: “I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.”
The message quickly spread, framing the refund as unresolved, until Musk replied.
I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.
— Sam Altman (@sama) October 30, 2025
“And you forgot to mention act 4, where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours,” Musk wrote on X.
“But that is in your nature.”
The clapback positioned Tesla as having acted quickly, flipping the narrative from an unreturned refund to a resolved issue.
The exchange highlights the pressure Tesla faces over its perpetually delayed ‘fastest production car ever’.
Tesla Roadster delays keep headlines rolling
Tesla first unveiled the second generation Roadster in 2017, promising a record breaking 0 to 60 mph time of 1.9 seconds.
Since then, production has been repeatedly pushed back with no confirmed release date.
For Altman, the long wait proved too much and for Musk, the public callout was another chance to defend Tesla’s reputation and throw in a personal jab while doing it.
The Roadster may still be in development, but its story continues to generate more social media drama than speed record data.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
