Money Moves in the Shadows: How Tech Giants Could Influence Elections

A new plan is brewing that could let big tech companies like Anthropic dip into politics without anyone knowing.

How It Works

1. Two big spending groups, one for Republicans and one for Democrats, will receive money from a secretive nonprofit called Public First.
2. This nonprofit doesn’t have to reveal its funders, making the money trail disappear.

Normally, groups like super PACs must disclose their donors. But this setup skirts around those rules.

• A tech company gives money to Public First.
• Public First then gives it to the super PACs.
• The super PACs spend it to support candidates.

It’s a sneaky way to get around rules that stop companies from directly influencing elections.

The FEC’s Weak Enforcement

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is supposed to enforce these rules, but they rarely do.

• Even when big companies break the rules, the fines are tiny compared to the money they spend.
• Example: Koch Industries once funneled millions through secret groups and only got a small fine.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about tech companies. It’s about how easy it is for big money to hide and shape politics.

• The FEC’s weak enforcement means these loopholes stay open.
• If this plan goes ahead, it could set a dangerous precedent for other companies to follow.