US Senators have raised concerns about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s $1 million donation to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.
This inquiry highlights concerns about corporate influence on political processes, especially from tech and cryptocurrency firms.
US Lawmakers Probe Corporate Donations to Trump’s Inauguration Fund
In a January 17 letter to Sam Altman, US lawmakers Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett requested that OpenAI provide details about Altman’s recent contribution to Trump’s inaugural fund.
The lawmakers noted that major tech firms, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, collectively donated millions to the fund over the past two months. Interestingly, cryptocurrency firms like Ripple, Coinbase, Kraken, Robinhood, and Circle have reportedly contributed around $10 million to the Trump fund.
These funds are expected to support high-profile inaugural events, reflecting optimism within the digital asset sector. The industry views the incoming Trump administration as a potential ally in advancing long-awaited regulatory changes that could spur further growth for the crypto sector.
However, the lawmakers raised concerns about potential ulterior motives behind these contributions. They suggested that donations might serve as attempts to influence the new administration’s policies or mitigate regulatory challenges.
Several donor companies, such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Ripple are currently under federal scrutiny for various legal issues.
Go to Source to See Full Article
Author: Oluwapelumi Adejumo
