Key facts
- Rep. Greg Casar wants Democrats to refuse donations from AI billionaires and pro-AI super PACs.
- Casar believes taking money from the AI industry could be a "toxic" liability for Democrats.
- Casar highlighted JD Vance's past work in venture capital and his ties to Silicon Valley.
- Casar suggested Vance's "AI corruption" could be a liability for a presidential campaign.
- Leading the Future, a pro-AI super PAC, had raised over $76.5 million as of June.
- Casar stated that 75% of Americans want sensible AI regulations.
Representative Greg Casar, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is urging Democratic presidential candidates to reject donations from AI billionaires and pro-AI super PACs, viewing it as a critical issue for the party. Casar argues that accepting such funding would create a "toxic" liability for Democrats and allow them to draw a clear contrast with Republicans.
Casar specifically pointed to JD Vance, a potential Republican presidential candidate, as vulnerable on this issue due to his past work in venture capital in San Francisco and his ties to the tech sector. Casar suggested that Vance's "AI corruption" could be a significant liability for his campaign, stating, "He’s more Silicon Valley than Ohio, more tech bro than factory guy."
Leading the Future, a prominent pro-AI super PAC, had raised over $76.5 million as of the end of June, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets. The group has also spent tens of millions of dollars in electoral contests, backing both Republicans and Democrats. Brendan Glavin, director of insights at OpenSecrets, told MS NOW that the AI spending this year appears to be a "prelude" to what is expected in 2028.
Casar predicted that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman could become a "villain to Democrats" similar to Elon Musk, and that groups like Leading the Future would be "as toxic as AIPAC." He believes that by aligning with the "75% plus of Americans" who desire sensible AI regulations to prevent mass unemployment, surveillance, and national security risks, Democrats can win over voters, even if it means forgoing AI industry money.