OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced his intention to donate $1 million to President-Elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund, aligning with other tech companies and executives seeking to strengthen ties with the incoming administration. This move was confirmed by a spokesperson for OpenAI, following similar contributions from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, as well as Amazon, each pledging $1 million.
In a statement, Altman expressed his support for President Trump's vision for advancing artificial intelligence in the United States, stating, 'President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.'
Altman's decision comes amidst a legal dispute with Elon Musk, where Altman has indicated minimal concern over Musk's potential influence within the new administration. Notably, Trump has appointed Musk, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an external advisory committee tasked with collaborating with government officials to streamline spending and regulations.
Musk, a key investor and board member of OpenAI, filed a lawsuit earlier this year against the AI company, alleging a deviation from its original mission of serving the public good over profit-seeking endeavors. Musk has recently escalated the legal battle by seeking a court injunction to halt OpenAI's transition into a for-profit entity.
