The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 23rd that President Donald Trump, who has become close to the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, is facing a backlash from conservatives as he tries to neutralize attempts to regulate AI at the state level.
According to the report, the White House is recently considering an executive order that would require the Department of Justice to file lawsuits against states that enact laws regulating AI, but this is being opposed by Republican politicians and conservative activists.
The WP assessed that President Trump tends to allow considerable freedom to the AI industry, such as by repealing AI regulations implemented by the former Biden administration, but this tone is clashing with his staunch supporters, the MAGA camp, who are wary of AI.
Recently, amid growing concerns that the rapid growth of AI could negatively impact jobs, children, and electricity bills, legislation aimed at controlling it has been introduced in every state in the United States, and some have even been enacted. ; This trend is evident not only in Democratic-leaning states but also in Republican-leaning states like President Trump.
For example, Texas has banned the government from using AI to select welfare recipients, and Ohio has introduced a bill banning the marriage of humans and AI systems. However, President Trump has touted the billions of dollars in ongoing investment in the AI industry as a major accomplishment, and he has maintained close relationships with influential AI investors and entrepreneurs, appointing them to key positions in the administration.
The White House recently urged Congress to include a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense budget and policy bill, that states prioritize AI regulation over state regulation.
On the 18th, President Trump claimed on social media, “AI investment is helping make the U.S. economy the hottest in the world, but state overregulation threatens to undermine this vital growth engine.” However, leading Republican politicians argue that state-level AI regulation is needed.
At a press conference on the 21st, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis likened the White House’s attempt to undermine state regulations to the mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, warning, “These massive corporations, with their incredible concentration of power in our society, can also curtail your freedoms.”
Governor DeSantis, who has previously raised concerns that AI could replace workers, announced plans to unveil a state-level AI policy. Utah Governor Spencer Cox also opposed the move, saying, “We’ve already made the mistake of allowing social media companies to destroy the mental health of our children and divide our country. Let’s not repeat that mistake.”
Some Republican politicians are also concerned that the close ties between the administration and the AI industry could weaken the party’s appeal to the public. The Washington Post observed that the conflict over AI regulation is emerging as a new fault line within the Trump campaign, as the interests of working-class voters, President Trump’s grassroots support base, and the AI industry, which has emerged as a key ally and advisor during his second term, clash.
This conflict seems to be related to the economic issues that are dragging down President Trump’s approval ratings, as many voters remain unaware of the economic growth being driven by massive investments in the AI industry due to the high cost of living. It’s also noteworthy that a growing number of Americans are anxious about the impact of AI on the economy and their lives.
A Pew Research poll conducted in June found that 50% of respondents expressed concern about the increased use of AI, up from 37% in 2021. Only 10% said they had greater expectations than concerns.