 "Social media drama unfolds as Durov declares $300mn xAI-Telegram deal but Musk denies")
A social media drama recently unfolded between Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and X boss Elon Musk over a potential deal to integrate Grok AI chatbot with the messaging platform.
It started when Durov on Wednesday (May 28) announced on X that Telegram users would soon be able to access Grok AI. “Together, we win”, Durov wrote on X, adding that “This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market."
The Telegram CEO further claimed that he and Musk have “agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI’s Grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps”.
🔥 This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market. @elonmusk and I have agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI’s @grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps 🤝
— Pavel Durov (@durov) May 28, 2025
💪 This also strengthens Telegram’s financial… pic.twitter.com/ZPK550AyRV
However, he was quickly fact-checked, none other than by Musk himself.
Hours later, Musk rejected Durov’s claims and replied to his X post that “no deal has been signed”.
Social media reacts
Internet users were anticipating some excitement, but Durov, trying to manage the situation, confirmed Musk’s statement by saying a deal is “agreed in principle, but formalities are still pending.”
Durov’s trigger-happy post prompted X users to question, “Why would someone announce a deal before it’s inked on paper?”
True. Agreed in principle, but formalities are pending.
— Pavel Durov (@durov) May 28, 2025
One user commented, “You should not say things until the ink is dry,” while a second user said, “Bro, don’t blow the deal by breaking the news first.”
Yet another pointed out that “Agreed in principle doesn’t mean anything”. “I agree in principle with Amazon that deliveries should be fast and on time. It doesn’t mean I’m partners with them. How funny that Elon called you out,” they added.
$300 million deal
The highly anticipated deal is valued at $300 million. According to Durov, if the deal is finalised, Telegram will receive $300 million in cash and equity for integrating Grok AI into its platform, along with 50 per cent of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold via Telegram.
With this agreement, xAI would also get access to Telegram’s extensive user base, which Durov estimates to be over one billion.
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