Meta Plans To Pledge $65 Million In Support Of AI-Friendly State Politicians: Report

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) reportedly plans to invest $65 million in 2026 to back state politicians who are supportive of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

The initiative will kick off this week in Texas and Illinois and marks the company’s largest election-related expenditure to date, The New York Times reported earlier this week.

However, in light of potential regulatory threats to the AI industry, Meta is escalating its political involvement. The company’s goal is to counteract any legislation in states that could potentially obstruct AI development.

As part of this strategy, Meta has launched two new super political action committees (PACs), Forge the Future Project and Making Our Tomorrow, which will support Republicans and Democrats, respectively. These PACs join two others previously established by Meta, bringing the total initial budget to $65 million.

Forge the Future Project, led by Brian Baker, a GOP strategist, is gearing up to support pro-Republican legislators in Texas, home to Meta's three AI data centers. On the other hand, Making Our Tomorrow in Illinois concentrates on electing Democrats who advocate for their policy priorities.

Meta has generally taken a cautious approach to politics, contributing modestly via its corporate PACs and making donations to presidential inaugurations. Last year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg donated $1 million to President Donald Trump‘s inauguration.

Meta did not immediately respond to Benzinga‘s request for comment.

Surge in Political Spending Amid AI Push

The report of Meta’s investment comes amid a surge in political fundraising ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Billionaire Elon Musk also resumed his financial support for Republicans, making significant donations, despite announcing in 2025 that he planned to pull back from political spending.

Earlier this month, Trump’s political fundraising reached $375 million, a significant amount that could potentially reshape the upcoming midterms and future elections.

Meanwhile, the regulatory environment for technology is poised for a marked shift. In December, Trump signed an executive order establishing a national AI framework, aiming to override state regulations he says hinder U.S. leadership. He emphasized AI's importance for national security and economic dominance, warning that state-level laws threaten America's position in the global AI race.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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