Who’s behind it

The same people getting rich
from AI are buying the rules.

A small network of Silicon Valley billionaires has poured millions into the super PAC “Leading the Future”, to elect politicians who will block AI regulation and protect their profits. We’re documenting every major donor and political operative behind it.
Sign up for updates as we uncover more.

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Marc Andreessen
Subject #001
Marc Andreessen
Co-founder, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) · $35B in assets

Background

Marc Andreessen built a16z into one of Silicon Valley’s most powerful venture firms, with over 70 AI companies in his portfolio. That gives him a direct, billion-dollar financial incentive to make sure AI regulation never happens. a16z recently led a $2 billion seed round for Thinking Machines Lab, valuing it at $12 billion.

Charges

  • Led $50M contribution from a16z to Leading the Future, plus $25M personally (1)
  • Spent $22M backing GOP candidates in the 2024 cycle
  • Andreessen Horowitz is now regularly the first outside call that top White House officials make when considering moves that could affect tech companies’ AI plans (2)
  • Called for regulating AI use but not development, including no regulation on open-source AI (3)
Joe Lonsdale
Subject #002
Joe Lonsdale
Co-founder, Palantir · Founder, 8VC

Background

Joe Lonsdale co-founded Palantir, a surveillance and data company with deep government contracts. He’s one of the most active political donors in Silicon Valley, funding candidates and think tanks who oppose AI regulation.

Charges

  • Backed 30+ candidates explicitly opposing AI safety legislation
  • Funds multiple “AI freedom” think tanks including Foundation for American Innovation
  • Connected to architects of Project 2025’s tech policy chapter
  • Falsely claimed the FDA “killed millions” as justification for light-touch AI regulation (4)
Greg Brockman
Subject #003
Greg Brockman
Co-founder, OpenAI · Former President

Background

Greg Brockman helped build OpenAI from a nonprofit research lab into a $100B+ company. In August 2025, he and Andreessen Horowitz announced they were putting $100 million into Leading the Future to advocate against strict AI regulation. (5)

Charges

  • He and his wife Anna donated $25M combined to Leading the Future (5)
  • Led OpenAI’s campaign against California’s SB 1047 safety bill
  • Spent six figures opposing lawmakers seeking tougher AI oversight (6)
  • Opposed mandatory third-party auditing requirements for frontier AI models

Who they’re backing

See who the opposition is spending on.

Andreessen, Horowitz, and the Brockmans are the money. But money needs faces on ballots. Meet the eight candidates Leading the Future has already purchased — with more on the way.

See the Rogues Gallery →
LTF Endorsed Candidate
LTF Endorsed
Sam Liccardo · CA-16
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8 candidates
and counting >>

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We're documenting every major donor and political operative behind Leading the Future.

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