Reports link OpenAI employee criticism to Brockman’s PAC reversal

Two independent news organizations report that criticism from OpenAI employees and researchers contributed to president Greg Brockman’s decision not to make a second $25 million contribution to the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future.

The reported reversal would leave Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna Brockman, with a combined $25 million in recorded contributions, rather than complete the $50 million commitment described in the reports. A Federal Election Commission filing records separate $12.5 million contributions from Greg and Anna Brockman on Sept. 12, 2025.

One account, citing a person familiar with the situation, said employee pushback was one factor in the decision. The other placed the reversal in the context of criticism from OpenAI researchers. No public primary record in the reviewed evidence establishes that the criticism played a causal role. One report also said Brockman had concerns about the PAC’s strategy, including its targeting of New York Assemblymember Alex Bores.

One account says internal criticism followed a June 1 message about OpenAI’s separation from Leading the Future. Brockman then told employees on June 11 that he would not make the additional contribution. OpenAI said in its June 1 public statement that the company had not donated to any super PAC, that Greg and Anna Brockman supported Leading the Future in a personal capacity, and that OpenAI neither directed nor had visibility into the group’s operations.

The PAC dispute adds context to political engagement by OpenAI leaders, including CEO Sam Altman’s expected attendance at a White House state dinner.

In one account, an OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged extensive internal debate but said the company’s policy positions ultimately reflect what it observes in its technology and the pace of capability advances. The company declined to comment for the other account. The FEC lists Leading the Future as an active, unauthorized independent-expenditure-only committee registered on Aug. 15, 2025.