OpenAI President Defends Trump Donations, Refuses to Comment on ICE

Brockman says he's spending more on politics to counter negative public opinion about AI.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Greg Brockman, the co-founder and president of OpenAI, has come under scrutiny for donating millions of dollars to support former President Donald Trump and pro-Trump political groups. Brockman defended his political spending, saying he wants to encourage government support for AI as the technology faces growing public skepticism. However, Brockman refused to comment on the recent killings of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis, instead offering vague platitudes about AI being a 'uniting technology'.

Why it matters

Brockman's political donations and refusal to condemn the actions of the Trump administration raise questions about the role of tech leaders in supporting authoritarian figures and policies. As public trust in AI declines, Brockman's efforts to sway public opinion through political spending highlight the potential for tech companies to wield undue influence over the political process.

The details

Brockman and his wife donated $25 million to MAGA Inc, a pro-Trump super PAC, and $25 million to Leading the Future, a supposedly nonpartisan super PAC that promotes AI. Other contributors to Leading the Future include the pro-MAGA billionaire Marc Andreessen and far-right Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale. Brockman told Wired that he's doing more political spending because public opinion is turning against AI, with a recent Pew poll showing that 53% of Americans say AI will worsen people's ability to think creatively, and 57% rating the societal risks of AI as high.

  • In 2025, Brockman and his wife gave $25 million to MAGA Inc, a pro-Trump super PAC.
  • In 2025, Brockman and his wife gave $25 million to Leading the Future, a supposedly nonpartisan super PAC that promotes AI.
  • In September 2025, a Pew poll showed that 53% of Americans say AI will worsen people's ability to think creatively, and 57% rate the societal risks of AI as high.

The players

Greg Brockman

The co-founder and president of OpenAI, who has donated millions of dollars to support former President Donald Trump and pro-Trump political groups.

MAGA Inc

A pro-Trump super PAC that received $25 million from Brockman and his wife.

Leading the Future

A supposedly nonpartisan super PAC that promotes AI and received $25 million from Brockman and his wife, as well as donations from the pro-MAGA billionaire Marc Andreessen and far-right Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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.”

— Greg Brockman, OpenAI President (Wired)

“AI is a uniting technology, and can be so much bigger than what divides us today.”

— Greg Brockman, OpenAI President (Wired)

The takeaway

Brockman's political donations and refusal to condemn the actions of the Trump administration raise concerns about the role of tech leaders in supporting authoritarian figures and policies, as well as the potential for tech companies to wield undue influence over the political process.