Thomas Unise
Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, has emerged as a significant political donor despite not considering himself political. In 2025, he and his wife Anna donated $25 million to MAGA Inc, a pro-Trump super PAC, and another $25 million to Leading the Future, a bipartisan AI super PAC, with an additional $25 million pledge for 2026.
Brockman’s Rationale for Political Engagement
Brockman justifies these donations as supporting OpenAI’s founding mission to develop AI systems that benefit humanity. “This mission, in my mind, is bigger than companies, bigger than corporate structures,” he explained to WIRED. His political spending represents a dramatic shift from his previous limited political activity, which included only a $5,400 donation to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
According to Brockman, his increased political involvement stems from growing public concern about AI. He believes supporting pro-AI politicians is crucial even when such positions aren’t popular. “I think it’s important for America. I think it’s important for the world. And anything I can do to support this technology benefiting everyone is a thing that I will do,” he stated.
Backlash and Internal Tensions
The donations have sparked significant backlash, including the QuitGPT movement, which has gathered over 700,000 signatures from people canceling their ChatGPT subscriptions in protest. Actor Mark Ruffalo publicly joined this movement.
Internally at OpenAI, the donations have caused tensions. While some employees understand the need to work with government officials, others feel Brockman’s political activities exceed what’s necessary for the company’s advancement. One anonymous OpenAI researcher noted, “I personally think Greg’s political donations probably go beyond that.”
When questioned about employee reactions, Brockman acknowledged disagreement is common at OpenAI: “I think there’s no decision ever that everyone at OpenAI agrees with.”
OpenAI’s Official Position
OpenAI maintains that the Brockmans’ donations are strictly personal and don’t reflect company politics. A spokesperson stated, “The Brockmans’ donation reflects their focus on AI as a defining issue for the country and the world during this presidency.”
Evolving Relationship with the Administration
While many AI leaders initially welcomed Trump’s second term for his pro-AI development stance, recent incidents involving Department of Homeland Security agents killing Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti have strained Silicon Valley’s relationship with the administration. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly told employees that “what’s happening with ICE is going too far,” while acknowledging encouragement by Trump’s response.
Aidan Clark, OpenAI’s VP of research, publicly expressed hope that these events would make Brockman “reconsider his politics.” When asked about the ICE shootings after the interview, Brockman declined specific comment, offering instead: “AI is a uniting technology, and can be so much bigger than what divides us today.”
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