OpenAI president Greg Brockman and his wife have reportedly withdrawn a planned second $25 million donation to the pro‑AI super PAC Leading The Future, saying the group's activity had become a distraction for OpenAI. Brockman told staff in June he felt "terrible" about the PAC's reflection on the company and indicated there were "no plans" for further contributions beyond the initial $25 million. OpenAI publicly distanced itself from LTF, which has ties to Andreessen Horowitz and promotes targeted AI regulation; the promised second payment did not arrive in Q1 or Q2 2026.
Greg Brockman Withdraws Planned Second $25M Gift to Pro‑AI Super PAC, Says He Felt "Terrible"
A smartphone displays the ChatGPT interface with the OpenAI logo blurred in the background, representing AI technology. (Credit: Image via Shutterstock)
OpenAI co‑founder and president Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, have reportedly rescinded a planned second $25 million donation to the pro‑AI super Political Action Committee Leading The Future (LTF), The New York Times and Benzinga reported.
According to the report, Brockman told OpenAI colleagues in June via Slack that he felt "terrible" the PAC's activities were reflecting on the company and distracting employees, and that the couple had "no plans" at that time to make additional contributions beyond the $25 million already donated.
Timeline And Corporate Response
In February, LTF had told The New York Times that the Brockmans' second $25 million contribution would arrive in the first quarter of 2026. No payment was recorded in either Q1 or Q2 of 2026, and the third quarter had just ended at the time of the report.
In June, OpenAI posted an atypical public statement distancing itself from the super PAC. The company said it does not direct LTF's activities, does not have visibility into the group's operations, and that no outside political group speaks for OpenAI or represents its views. OpenAI did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment on the latest reporting.
About Leading The Future And Political Connections
Reports last year identified venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and Greg Brockman as central figures behind Leading The Future. The network has described itself as a pro‑AI super PAC that uses campaign contributions and digital ads to promote AI‑friendly policies and to oppose candidates viewed as impediments to industry growth. LTF has said it supports targeted regulation rather than full deregulation.
The reporting also tied Brockman to broader political fundraising: Brockman was previously listed among the largest donors to President Donald Trump's MAGA Inc., contributing $25 million. Despite withdrawing the planned PAC payment, Brockman has remained engaged with the administration — attending a Trump‑hosted AI policy meeting and signing a voluntary AI safety pact with the President.
Implications
This episode highlights tensions between private political activity by prominent tech leaders and corporate reputational concerns. OpenAI's public distancing and Brockman's internal message suggest an effort to limit operational distraction and preserve employee morale while navigating high‑profile political engagement.
Source: The New York Times; Benzinga
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