Elon Musk rejected OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s statement that former researcher and whistleblower Suchir Balaji died by suicide, declaring instead that he “was murdered." The Tesla and SpaceX chief’s blunt remark came after a televised exchange between Sam Altman and American broadcaster Tucker Carlson reignited questions over Suchir Balaji’s controversial death in late 2024.
During the interview, Tucker Carlson directly challenged Sam Altman, referencing Suchir Balaji’s whistleblower disclosures and subsequent demise.
“So you’ve had complaints from one programmer who said you guys were basically stealing people’s stuff and not paying them, and then he wound up murdered. What was that?" Tucker Carlson asked.
Sam Altman countered firmly, saying, “Also a great tragedy. He committed suicide." He described Suchir Balaji as a long-time colleague and friend, saying he had personally reviewed all available information.
“It looks like a suicide to me," he told Tucker Carlson, adding that the death had left him shaken.
But Tucker Carlson was not persuaded as he cited glaring inconsistencies- cut surveillance wires, signs of a struggle, blood in two rooms and even a mysterious wig- asking, “Why does it look like a suicide?"
Sam Altman noted that Suchir Balaji had died from a firearm he had lawfully purchased, reiterating that the evidence pointed to suicide. At one point, he expressed disbelief at Tucker Carlson’s framing, asserting, “I haven’t done too many interviews where I’ve been accused of murder."
Tucker Carlson, however, maintained his stance, reiterating, “He was definitely murdered, I think."
Suchir Balaji, an Indian-origin American AI researcher, was discovered dead in his San Francisco apartment in November 2024, only weeks after publicly accusing OpenAI of copyright violations in the training of its models. The San Francisco medical examiner ruled the death a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities reported no evidence of foul play.
Suchir Balaji’s family, however, contested the findings, pointing to alleged inconsistencies and calling for a transparent investigation, including FBI involvement.
Source: News18