Sam Altman Opts Out of 2026 Election Funding as AI PACs Deploy $45M
NYT•OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he will not donate to the 2026 US elections despite peers pledging tens of millions to influence Congress races. His announcement comes as a $25 million PAC backed by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and a $20 million PAC supported by Anthropic battle over AI regulation.
1. Altman’s Election Funding Stance
Sam Altman stated he will not make any contributions to the 2026 US elections during a Capitol Hill meeting, while urging broader campaign finance reform and expressing concern over competitive imbalances in political spending.
2. Brockman’s PAC Efforts
Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife Anna, has raised $25 million to support AI-friendly congressional candidates and to contest state-level restrictions on data centers.
3. Anthropic’s Political Contributions
Anthropic PBC contributed $20 million to the rival super PAC Public First Action, which focuses on advocating for tougher AI safety regulations at both state and federal levels.
4. Emerging AI Regulatory Battle
The contrasting political spending by major AI firms underscores a high-stakes fight over AI policy, with up to $45 million ready to shape the next Congress and influence the trajectory of data center and safety legislation.
