Tech boss Sam Altman has hit back at Democrats who criticized him for donating $1 million of his personal money to Donald Trump's inaugural fund.
OpenAI's CEO received a letter last week from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet, accusing him of trying to “cozy up” to the president to avoid federal oversight.
The senators asked a series of questions ostensibly aimed at discovering his motivations for the cash gift.
Altman, 39, shared the letter and pushed back on the suggestion, saying, “Funny, they never sent me a letter like that because I contributed to the Democrats.”
He then explained that the senators' accusations were unfounded as the money had been donated by Altman personally.
'It was a personal contribution as you say; I am confused about the questions as my company has not made any decision,” he added.
The letter stated that major technology companies, including Altman's, had donated “millions of dollars to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and influence the action and policies of the new administration.” to influence.
Tech boss Sam Altman has hit back at Democrats who criticized him for donating $1 million of his personal money to Donald Trump's inaugural fund
Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Altman of trying to “ingratiate himself” with his company with the donation
“Big Tech companies are under increased scrutiny from federal regulators,” the senators continued.
“We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to help the incoming Trump administration.”
The letter further pointed out that several companies, including OpenAI, are subject to investigation and regulatory action.
Altman's company is currently under an FTC investigation for alleged consumer harm and an SEC investigation for potentially misleading investors.
The senators suggested that OpenAI is trying to “ingratiate itself” with Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft before the investigations are completed.
Altman was among the tech bosses invited to Trump's inauguration yesterday.
He was pictured chatting to boxer Logan Paul and his brother Jake Paul ahead of the ceremony.
Trump was surrounded by tech titans and media moguls as he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Warren co-wrote the letter with Senator Michael Bennet, with both asking Altman to explain his reasons for the donation
Altman pointed out that his gift to Trump came from his personal wealth and therefore questioned why he was asked to defend it
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple CEO Tim Cook were all in attendance at the capital's St. John's Church and the Capitol Rotunda.
The three were seen chatting while attending the morning service with Trump to kick off his inauguration.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was also spotted behind the three, while TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was also pictured after the service.
The group of tech titans were then seen together alongside Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez and Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan for the inauguration ceremony.
Other guests spotted in the Church of the Presidents and rotunda included podcaster Joe Rogan and former Fox News media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
