OpenAI Faces Boycott Calls Over Pentagon Deal, Trump Donations
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is facing mounting pressure from users and activists calling for a boycott of its services following a recent agreement with the Pentagon and substantial political donations from company leadership. The campaign, dubbed “QuitGPT,” is gaining traction as concerns grow over the potential for AI technology to be used for lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.
The controversy centers around OpenAI’s decision to allow the Pentagon “to employ its tech for ‘any lawful purpose,’” including the development of “killer robots and mass surveillance,” according to QuitGPT, an organization leading the boycott effort. This move came shortly after Anthropic, a competitor to OpenAI, refused a similar offer from the Department of Defense, raising questions about OpenAI’s priorities.
Adding to the criticism, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife donated $25 million to MAGA Inc in 2025, while CEO Sam Altman contributed $1 million to Donald Trump’s 2025 Inaugural Fund. These donations, totaling 26 times more than any other major AI company’s contributions to Trump, have fueled accusations of political alignment and prompted further calls for a boycott. The financial disclosures highlight the growing intersection of technology and political funding.
The “QuitGPT” movement is actively encouraging users to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions and share the boycott on social media. A protest is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco. Organizers are also encouraging individuals to organize local events to amplify the message.
According to a report in Technology Review, some users had already been considering alternatives due to dissatisfaction with ChatGPT’s performance, but the political donations proved to be a decisive factor for many. One user reportedly wrote in a survey after canceling their subscription, “Don’t support the fascist regime.”
The situation underscores a broader trend of increasing scrutiny of AI companies’ ties to government entities and political campaigns. Backlash against ICE, specifically related to its use of ChatGPT-4 for resume screening, is also contributing to the momentum behind the boycott, as noted in Technology Review.
OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment regarding the boycott or the concerns raised by QuitGPT.
