AI, Crypto, and Trump Super PACs Stockpile Millions for 2026 Midterm Elections
As the 2026 midterm elections draw near, political action committees (PACs) linked to the artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency sectors have amassed substantial war chests, positioning themselves as influential players in the upcoming contests. Simultaneously, support groups aligned with former President Donald Trump continue to build formidable financial resources to maintain sway over the Republican Party.
Crypto and AI Groups Fueling Political Spending
Campaign finance reports reveal that pro-cryptocurrency organizations concluded 2025 with nearly $194 million available for political expenditures. The leading entity in this sphere, Fairshake, backed by Coinbase and various venture capital firms, holds the bulk of this sum. Other associated groups, such as Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress, collectively spent approximately $290 million during the 2024 election cycle. These groups notably backed candidates across party lines, such as Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno and Democrats Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, exemplifying their strategic influence in key races.
In parallel, a relatively new super PAC named Leading the Future, which advocates for AI-related interests, amassed $39 million by the end of last year. Funded by prominent technology figures, including OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Benjamin Horowitz, the group raised over $50 million in the latter half of 2025 alone. Despite its bipartisan candidate support, Leading the Future has caused unease within the White House due to some donors’ political affiliations and its unwillingness to commit solely to one party.
So far, Leading the Future has targeted at least two primary races: opposing New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores, an AI safety legislation sponsor, in a district to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, and supporting attorney Chris Gober in a Texas district formerly held by Republican Rep. Michael McCaul.
Trump-Associated PAC Amasses Massive Funds
MAGA Inc., the principal super PAC allied with Donald Trump, remains a dominant financial force heading into the midterms. Ending 2025 with over $304 million in reserves, it continues to draw significant contributions, including from individuals with current business interests involving the administration or facing legal challenges. Although Trump himself cannot run for president again due to constitutional limits, and isn’t on the 2026 ballot, MAGA Inc.’s financial muscle helps the former president retain a powerful role within the GOP.
Notably, billionaire Elon Musk has reinvested millions into Republican-aligned groups, signaling a renewed association with Trump after previous public disagreements and threats to establish a third party. In December, Musk donated $5 million each to the Senate Leadership Fund and the Congressional Leadership Fund—key GOP Senate and House super PACs—and contributed nearly $3 million to America PAC, his own political group that notably backed Trump in prior elections.
The Senate Leadership Fund closed 2025 with $100 million in cash, while the Congressional Leadership Fund had $54.5 million on hand, highlighting robust Republican financial preparedness.
Democratic Efforts and Other Influences
On the Democratic side, House Majority PAC, charged with aiding Democrats to regain House control, raised over $48 million in the latter half of 2025 and maintained $46 million at year’s end. Senate Majority PAC had not yet submitted its latest fundraising reports as of late January 2026. The United Democracy Project (UDP), a pro-Israel organization affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), raised more than $61 million from July through December and ended 2025 with nearly $96 million in cash. Although it primarily influences Democratic contests, UDP has attracted significant donations from GOP megadonor Paul Singer and others, sparking debate over cross-party funding in primaries. The group is actively participating in a special election in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, targeting former Democrat Tom Malinowski.
Moreover, emerging Democratic groups such as Leaders We Deserve, founded by activist David Hogg, plan to challenge established Democrats in heavily blue districts to promote younger candidates. The organization raised $7.8 million in 2025 and seeks to invest $20 million overall in this effort.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 midterms approach, these substantial financial commitments from AI, crypto, Trump-aligned, and traditional political groups underscore the high stakes of this election cycle. The infusion of capital into political campaigns by tech industry leaders and established political figures alike signals a rapidly evolving landscape where emerging technologies and insider political dynamics are set to have an outsized influence on American politics.
Reported by Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar, NBC News – January 31, 2026