/Tech5h ago

Build American AI director says OpenAI directly funds and guides the group, contradicting claims of private-only backing

Texts show OpenAI is one of four corporate backers

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Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh
Miles Brundage#22
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Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh@S_OhEigeartaigh#1606inTech

@ShakeelHashim Oh, Nathan. You're really not good at playing this game, are you? We'll miss you when you're gone.

Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

In recent weeks, OpenAI has made multiple statements distancing itself from Leading the Future, the accelerationist, Greg Brockman-funded super PAC, and Build American AI, the PAC’s advocacy group.

Brockman's donation, OpenAI insists, was made in a “personal capacity."

But @ReadTransformer has found that not everyone working within LTF appears to view it that way.

“For this project I’m funded by four separate entities … OpenAI is just one of them,” Nathan Leamer, executive director of Build American AI, told Transformer over text message on May 3.

“I think the best way to think of it is the corporate funders all have a say," he said.

9:19 AM · Jun 11, 2026 · 255 Views
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Miles Brundage@Miles_Brundage

Lol

Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

In recent weeks, OpenAI has made multiple statements distancing itself from Leading the Future, the accelerationist, Greg Brockman-funded super PAC, and Build American AI, the PAC’s advocacy group.

Brockman's donation, OpenAI insists, was made in a “personal capacity."

But @ReadTransformer has found that not everyone working within LTF appears to view it that way.

“For this project I’m funded by four separate entities … OpenAI is just one of them,” Nathan Leamer, executive director of Build American AI, told Transformer over text message on May 3.

“I think the best way to think of it is the corporate funders all have a say," he said.

48mViews 2.3KLikes 9Bookmarks 4
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Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh@S_OhEigeartaigh

Oops.

“For this project I’m funded by four separate entities … OpenAI is just one of them,” Nathan Leamer, executive director of Build American AI, told Transformer over text message on May 3.

“I think the best way to think of it is the corporate funders all have a say," he said.

Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

In recent weeks, OpenAI has made multiple statements distancing itself from Leading the Future, the accelerationist, Greg Brockman-funded super PAC, and Build American AI, the PAC’s advocacy group.

Brockman's donation, OpenAI insists, was made in a “personal capacity."

But @ReadTransformer has found that not everyone working within LTF appears to view it that way.

“For this project I’m funded by four separate entities … OpenAI is just one of them,” Nathan Leamer, executive director of Build American AI, told Transformer over text message on May 3.

“I think the best way to think of it is the corporate funders all have a say," he said.

4hViews 1.8KLikes 22Bookmarks 3
Miles Brundage@Miles_Brundage

Def. not OpenAI Comms's shining moment

Nathan Calvin@_NathanCalvin

OpenAI spokeperson saying here that Brockman has not "been involved" with Build American AI? Despite the CEO of Build American AI saying that "LTF... funds my crew BAAI," and Brockman is among the largest donors to LTF? Huh?

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Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

In a statement last month, OpenAI said that OpenAI had “not provided funding or any support to” Leading the Future or Build American AI.

That does not appear to be how Leamer, Build American AI's executive director, saw it.

5hViews 101Likes 1
Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

What's more, Transformer has learned that, in AI policy circles, it's thought that Chris Lehane picked Josh Vlasto, to co-lead LTF.

When asked, neither OpenAI nor Leading the Future denied this.

5hViews 93Likes 1
Veronica 💫@vronirwin

@ShakeelHashim also, we are editorially independent from our funders - i.e., they were not notified, nor did they review or provide feedback on this piece.

4hViews 19Likes 2
Veronica 💫@vronirwin

https://www.transformernews.ai/p/openai-lehane-brockman-leading-the-future-pac

4hViews 109
Shakeel@ShakeelHashim

In a new statement to Transformer, an OpenAI spokesperson said “Neither OpenAI nor Greg and Anna Brockman have donated to or been involved with Build American AI.”

She added: “As Chris has said previously, he was consulted when the PAC was getting stood up last year, but has no current involvement.”

An LTF spokesperson said: “Neither Leading the Future nor any affiliated super PACs or 501(c)(4) organizations has ever received funding from OpenAI. All decision making regarding candidates, policy or operations are made solely by Zac Moffat and Josh Vlasto.”

Read @vronirwin’s blockbuster piece here: https://www.transformernews.ai/p/openai-lehane-brockman-leading-the-future-pac

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