OpenAI’s President Gave Millions to Trump. He Says It’s for Humanity | WIRED
Summary
OpenAI President Greg Brockman defends his substantial political donations to Trump and a pro-AI PAC, asserting they support OpenAI's mission despite internal dissent and public backlash.
Why It Matters
Brockman's donations highlight the intersection of technology and politics, raising questions about the influence of tech leaders on public policy and the societal implications of AI. As public sentiment shifts against AI, understanding these dynamics is crucial for stakeholders in the tech industry.
Key Takeaways
- Greg Brockman donated $25 million to Trump’s PAC and plans to contribute more to a pro-AI PAC, aiming to support AI's positive impact on society.
- His political contributions have sparked internal debate at OpenAI, reflecting differing views on the necessity and implications of such donations.
- Public opinion on AI is increasingly skeptical, prompting Brockman to advocate for pro-AI politicians to counter negative sentiment.
- The backlash against Brockman’s donations, including movements like QuitGPT, indicates a growing concern among consumers regarding the ethical implications of AI.
- OpenAI maintains that Brockman's donations are personal and not representative of the company's political stance.
Save StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyOpenAI’s president and cofounder Greg Brockman doesn’t consider himself political, which is surprising, because he was one of President Trump’s biggest individual donors of 2025.Greg and his wife, Anna Brockman, gave $25 million to MAGA Inc—a super PAC that supports President Trump—in September of last year. The pair also gave $25 million to a bipartisan AI super PAC, Leading the Future, which says it plans to oppose politicians that jeopardize Americans’ “ability to benefit from AI.” The Brockmans have pledged to give an additional $25 million to Leading the Future in 2026, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.According to Brockman, these political donations are in service of OpenAI’s founding mission: to develop highly capable AI systems and distribute the benefits to all of humanity.“This mission, in my mind, is bigger than companies, bigger than corporate structures,” he says in an interview with WIRED. “We are embarking on a journey to develop this technology that's going to be the most impactful thing humanity has ever created. Getting that right and making that benefit everyone, that's the most important thing.”Brockman's emergence as a major political donor marks a sharp departure for a tech leader who, until recently, had no significant history of political spending. The largest donation Brockman gave previously was a $5,400 gift to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.Brockman says he'...
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