Social media drama unfolds as Durov declares $300mn xAI-Telegram deal however Musk denies – Firstpost

A social media drama lately unfolded between Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and X boss Elon Musk over a possible deal to combine Grok AI chatbot with the messaging platform.

It began when Durov on Wednesday (Might 28) introduced on X that Telegram customers would quickly be capable to entry Grok AI. “Collectively, we win”, Durov wrote on X, including that “This summer season, Telegram customers will achieve entry to the perfect AI know-how in the marketplace.”

The Telegram CEO additional claimed that he and Musk have “agreed to a 1-year partnership to deliver xAI’s Grok to our billion+ customers and combine it throughout all Telegram apps”.

🔥 This summer season, Telegram customers will achieve entry to the perfect AI know-how in the marketplace. @elonmusk and I’ve agreed to a 1-year partnership to deliver xAI’s @grok to our billion+ customers and combine it throughout all Telegram apps 🤝

💪 This additionally strengthens Telegram’s monetary… pic.twitter.com/ZPK550AyRV

— Pavel Durov (@durov) Might 28, 2025

Nevertheless, he was rapidly fact-checked, none aside from by Musk himself.

Hours later, Musk rejected Durov’s claims and replied to his X publish that “no deal has been signed”.

Web customers have been anticipating some pleasure, however Durov, attempting to handle the scenario, confirmed Musk’s assertion by saying a deal is “agreed in precept, however formalities are nonetheless pending.”

Durov’s trigger-happy publish prompted X customers to query, “Why would somebody announce a deal earlier than it’s inked on paper?”

True. Agreed in precept, however formalities are pending.

— Pavel Durov (@durov) Might 28, 2025

One person commented, “You shouldn’t say issues till the ink is dry,” whereas a second person stated, “Bro, don’t blow the deal by breaking the information first.”

One more identified that “Agreed in precept doesn’t imply something”. “I agree in precept with Amazon that deliveries needs to be quick and on time. It doesn’t imply I’m companions with them. How humorous that Elon known as you out,” they added.

$300 million deal

The extremely anticipated deal is valued at $300 million. In accordance with Durov, if the deal is finalised, Telegram will obtain $300 million in money and fairness for integrating Grok AI into its platform, together with 50 per cent of the income from xAI subscriptions bought by way of Telegram.

With this settlement, xAI would additionally get entry to Telegram’s intensive person base, which Durov estimates to be over one billion.