OpenAI’s President Donated Millions to Trump, Claiming It’s for the Benefit of Humanity.

Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and cofounder, perceives himself as apolitical, which is unexpected given that he was one of President Trump’s most significant individual supporters in 2025.

Last September, Greg and his spouse, Anna Brockman, contributed $25 million to MAGA Inc—a super PAC backing President Trump. They also donated $25 million to a bipartisan AI super PAC, Leading the Future, focused on opposing politicians who threaten Americans’ “ability to benefit from AI.” They have committed an additional $25 million to Leading the Future for 2026, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Brockman asserts that these political contributions align with OpenAI’s foundational mission: to create advanced AI systems and ensure their benefits reach all of humanity.

“This mission, as I see it, transcends companies and corporate frameworks,” he stated in an interview with WIRED. “We are embarking on a quest to develop a technology that will be the most transformative creation of humanity. Ensuring that it benefits everyone is paramount.”

Brockman’s rise as a prominent political contributor represents a substantial shift for a tech leader who has not previously engaged in significant political funding. His largest prior donation was a $5,400 contribution to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016.

Brockman indicates that he’s increasing his political donations partly in response to public concerns about AI. A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that Americans are “more worried than enthusiastic about the growing presence of AI in everyday life.” For Brockman, this makes it crucial to support politicians who advocate for AI.

“There are a few politicians who, although they recognize the unpopularity, are genuinely advocating that [AI] is vital for the country,” he asserts. “Supporting them is essential. I believe this technology is beneficial for local communities, America, and the global community. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure this technology serves everyone. In this regard, possibly supporting the broader cause transcends my affiliation with a particular team. It’s really a crusade for humanity.”

Despite these intentions, Brockman’s contributions may be exacerbating the negative perceptions surrounding AI. The QuitGPT movement, which is urging individuals to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions due to Brockman’s support of Trump, is gaining momentum, with over 700,000 individuals either signing the petition or sharing the pledge online. Recently, actor Mark Ruffalo publicly supported the movement on Instagram.

His donations have also sparked some internal controversy at OpenAI. While many staff understand the necessity of collaborating with government officials for technological advancement, there’s a sentiment that Brockman’s actions go beyond what’s essential for OpenAI’s objectives. “I personally believe Greg’s political contributions likely extend beyond that,” remarked one OpenAI researcher, who spoke anonymously.

“There’s never been a decision at OpenAI that everyone agrees with,” Brockman says when asked about his team’s views on the contributions. “Even when we were just ten people, we pursued the truth. We have a dedicated mission of scientific exploration, and reality doesn’t conform to individual opinions; it reflects what is factual.”

OpenAI maintains that the donations made by the Brockmans are personal and not indicative of the company’s political stance. “The Brockmans’ contribution underscores their belief that AI is a critical issue for the nation and the world during this presidency,” a spokesperson stated. “They provide a distinct perspective on this technology and are specifically focused on this matter.”