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. Here’s how it works: two big spending groups, one for Republicans and one for Democrats, will get money from a secretive nonprofit called Public First. This nonprofit doesn’t have to reveal who’s funding it, so the money trail goes cold. Normally, groups like super PACs have to show who’s giving them money. But this setup skirts around those rules. A tech company could give money to Public First, which then gives it to the super PACs. The super PACs can then spend it to support candidates. It’s a sneaky way to get around the rules that stop companies from directly influencing elections. 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. For example, Koch Industries once funneled millions through secret groups to influence elections and only got a small fine. 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.