Face Off in the Feed: Durov vs Musk Over $300M Telegram–xAI Deal

Clash of Titans: Durov Announces $300M Telegram–xAI Deal, Musk Publicly Denies

A Digital Partnership That Sparked a Public Spat

A high-stakes social media spectacle erupted this week as Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and X/Twitter boss Elon Musk publicly clashed over a supposed partnership deal. At the center of the drama: xAI’s chatbot, Grok, and its proposed integration into Telegram. Durov’s confident announcement of a $300 million partnership was swiftly met with a blunt denial from Musk, triggering a wave of reactions across the internet.

The Announcement: A Bold Claim on a Big Deal

On May 28, Pavel Durov surprised users on X with an exciting proclamation: Telegram users would soon gain access to Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. Durov declared a “1-year partnership” had been reached, touting it as a step towards integrating advanced AI across Telegram’s ecosystem. “Together, we win,” he wrote, hinting at a groundbreaking collaboration.

The integration, as Durov described, would bring Grok to Telegram’s billion-plus user base, marking a major distribution channel for Musk’s AI venture. The Telegram chief even claimed that the agreement would bring $300 million in cash and equity, along with a 50% revenue share from Grok subscriptions sold via Telegram.

The Denial: Musk Shuts It Down Publicly

But within hours, Durov’s triumph was undercut—by Elon Musk himself. Responding directly to Durov’s post on X, Musk tersely replied, “No deal has been signed.” His words immediately cast doubt over the authenticity of the announcement and fueled a frenzy of speculation online.

Durov, appearing to backtrack, clarified that while the agreement had been "agreed in principle," the formalities were “still pending.” This admission, however, only invited more criticism, with users accusing Durov of jumping the gun.

Social Media Reacts: Credibility and Timing in Question

The online response was swift and skeptical. Critics called out Durov’s premature celebration:

·       “You should not say things until the ink is dry,” wrote one user.

·       Another mocked, “Bro, don’t blow the deal by breaking the news first.”

·       A third sarcastically compared Durov’s announcement to agreeing “in principle” with Amazon for fast deliveries.

The core issues? Announcing a multi-million-dollar deal before the paperwork is signed—especially when the other party is Elon Musk—raised eyebrows over business etiquette and public messaging.

The Stakes: AI, Audience, and a $300M Opportunity

If finalized, the deal could reshape Telegram’s platform, injecting xAI's conversational AI into one of the world’s most popular messaging apps. For Musk, it would mean access to Telegram’s massive user base and an edge in the AI arms race.

But for now, the deal remains a promise on pause, with only one certainty: announcing a tech partnership without Musk’s signature can make headlines—but not history.

The drama may pass, but the implications for digital partnerships and corporate communication will linger.

(With agency inputs)