Meta Spends $65 Million in U.S. State Elections to Shape AI Policy, Reports Reveal

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly funneled $65 million into state-level political campaigns across the United States to back candidates who oppose stringent artificial intelligence regulation, according to an investigation by The Decoder. The strategic financial push, revealed in late 2025, targets key battleground states where legislation on AI transparency, data usage, and algorithmic accountability is under active debate. This unprecedented expenditure signals a new frontier in corporate lobbying—one that leverages electoral politics to safeguard the company’s AI-driven business model, including its rapidly expanding line of AI-powered smart glasses and generative AI platforms.

While Meta’s official newsroom highlights its technological advancements—such as the launch of the Oakley Meta Vanguard and Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses in its 2025 annual review—its political activities remain conspicuously absent from public disclosures. According to internal documents obtained by investigative journalists, the $65 million was distributed through a network of Super PACs and state-level advocacy groups, primarily in California, Texas, Ohio, and Arizona. These states are currently drafting or revising AI-related bills that could impose disclosure requirements on generative AI content, mandate algorithmic audits, or restrict the use of facial recognition in public spaces—all of which could directly impact Meta’s product roadmap and data collection infrastructure.

Meta has not publicly confirmed the expenditure, but a spokesperson for the company told Reuters in a statement: “We support responsible innovation and engage with policymakers to ensure regulations are balanced and informed by real-world technology use.” However, internal communications leaked to The Decoder suggest a more aggressive stance: “Our goal is not to oppose all regulation, but to ensure it doesn’t stifle innovation before it’s fully understood.” The leaked emails reference a “State Policy Alignment Initiative” designed to identify and fund candidates with favorable records on tech deregulation.

The investment coincides with a broader industry trend. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, tech companies collectively spent over $400 million on federal lobbying in 2024, with AI regulation emerging as the top priority. But Meta’s focus on state legislatures—where oversight is less visible and campaign finance rules vary widely—represents a calculated escalation. Unlike federal lobbying, which is subject to public disclosure, state-level political spending often operates through dark money channels, making it difficult to trace the origin of funds.

Critics argue that Meta’s strategy undermines democratic accountability. “When a corporation spends tens of millions to elect officials who will protect its commercial interests over public safety, it’s not lobbying—it’s buying influence,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, a professor of technology ethics at Stanford University. “This isn’t about innovation; it’s about preemptive immunity.”

Meanwhile, Meta continues to tout its AI advancements on its corporate newsroom. In a December 2025 feature, the company highlighted its “most advanced AI glasses to date,” emphasizing real-time translation, contextual alerts, and seamless integration with its metaverse ecosystem. These products rely heavily on continuous data ingestion and real-time processing—capabilities that could be curtailed by proposed state regulations.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, watchdog groups are urging Congress to mandate greater transparency in corporate political spending. For now, Meta’s $65 million gamble may prove pivotal: if successful, it could delay or derail AI regulation for years, giving the company a decisive edge in the global race to dominate the next generation of human-AI interfaces.