President Donald Trump on Monday rejected calls to regulate artificial intelligence, calling warnings about the technology a hoax and insisting the United States already has sufficient control over the industry. The remarks, made in a series of social media posts and during an onstage call with Nvidia's CEO, came as Democratic leaders and even some tech executives urged Congress to act ahead of the November midterms.

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President Donald Trump on Monday threw cold water on the growing momentum for stronger guardrails around advanced artificial intelligence, claiming the industry is already regulated and that all the country needs is a strong and smart president. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump insisted that claims AI will destroy the world are a hoax, and he went after Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei, whose company develops the Claude AI model.

Trump wrote that the only control or guardrails that AI needs is a strong and smart president, and that the U.S. has that in spades. He accused Amodei of pretending to be a perfect little angel and said his administration has stopped AI people from doing bad things. He also claimed there is a sick conspiracy against AI and data centers, and that the only country happy about it is China, adding that whoever wins AI wins.

Later on Monday, Trump doubled down, writing that AI taking over the world, destroying humanity, and all other things bad is a hoax. He compared the warnings to past controversies he has dismissed, including the Russia investigation and global warming, and said he is the hoax buster breaking another hoax. He also referenced Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming that China will do nothing to stand in the way of AI development.

The president's comments came during an onstage call with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, according to the Washington Post, where he again deemed AI fears a hoax. The event underscored the administration's hands-off approach even as some of the industry's most prominent leaders are speaking more openly about the risks of rapidly developing artificial intelligence.

Why It Matters

The debate over AI regulation has quickly become a midterm issue, with candidates in both parties facing questions about how to balance innovation with safety. Trump's stance puts him at odds not only with Democrats but also with a growing number of Republicans who have expressed skepticism about the development of increasingly capable large language models. The president's dismissal of safety warnings could energize his base but may also alienate voters who are concerned about AI's impact on jobs, privacy, and national security.

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are trying to force Congress to stay in session to address the issue. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called on House GOP leaders to remain in Washington to allow Congress to consider new limits on AI companies following dire warnings from industry insiders about the threat the technology poses to humanity. Speaking to reporters Monday at the Capitol, Jeffries pointed to the calls for a slowdown from tech leaders and argued that lawmakers should not leave town without acting.

The push for regulation is not limited to Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon are set to appear separately at an event calling for a pro-human approach to AI, according to the New York Times. The event highlights an unusual coalition of voices warning about the technology's dangers, from progressive populists to nationalist conservatives.

Political Context

The AI debate is unfolding against the backdrop of the 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake. Trump's remarks on Monday also touched on other midterm issues, including his push for $5,000 payments if Republicans retain control of Congress, a proposal that House Speaker Mike Johnson said would need approval from Congress. Johnson also said he will meet with AI executives soon alongside the president, but he argued that Congress should not be in charge of AI guardrails, insisting it is the responsibility of tech companies.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri told NBC's Meet the Press NOW that AI can be the best thing to happen or the end of the planet, underscoring the high stakes. Cleaver, who is running for reelection after the Supreme Court blocked the use of a Republican-drawn map in November's midterms, also discussed the role Congress should play in regulating AI as industry leaders sound alarm bells.

An AI researcher, Andrew Yoon, head of research at CivAI, said on Meet the Press NOW that regulation could not be more urgent and needed to happen last year. His comments reflect the growing sense of urgency among experts who warn that the technology is evolving faster than lawmakers can respond.

The White House has not announced any new regulatory proposals. Instead, Trump has repeatedly emphasized that existing criminal and regulatory powers are sufficient. It is not clear what specific criminal and regulatory rules the president was referring to, according to CBS News.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

Trump's posts on Truth Social represent his most direct rejection of the AI safety movement to date. He framed the push for guardrails as a conspiracy and linked it to China, arguing that overregulation would hand Beijing an advantage. He also personally attacked Amodei, a notable escalation against a tech CEO whose company has been vocal about the risks of advanced AI.

Amodei, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has called for a serious slowdown on AI development. Their warnings have been echoed by some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, though Republicans remain divided on whether Congress should act.

Jeffries has been among the most vocal Democrats demanding action. He wants the House to remain in session so that lawmakers can consider new limits on AI companies. His call puts pressure on Speaker Johnson, who has said he will meet with AI executives but has not committed to legislative action.

Johnson's position that Congress should not be in charge of AI guardrails aligns with the administration's deregulatory stance. However, his willingness to meet with executives suggests that the issue is not going away. The meeting, which is expected to include Trump, could shape the next phase of the debate.

Sanders and Bannon's participation in the pro-human AI event signals that the issue cuts across ideological lines. While they are unlikely allies, both have expressed concerns about the concentration of power in the tech industry and the potential for AI to disrupt society.

Timeline

  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: Trump posts on Truth Social calling AI safety warnings a hoax and criticizing Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei.
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: During an onstage call with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Trump again deems AI fears a hoax.
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calls on House GOP leaders to keep Congress in Washington to address AI concerns.
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: Speaker Mike Johnson says he will meet with AI executives soon alongside Trump, but argues Congress should not be in charge of AI guardrails.
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: Rep. Emanuel Cleaver warns on Meet the Press NOW that AI could be the best thing or the end of the planet.
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: AI researcher Andrew Yoon says regulation could not be more urgent and needed to happen last year.
  • Upcoming: Sanders and Bannon to appear separately at a pro-human AI event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Trump say about AI regulation?

Trump dismissed AI safety warnings as a hoax and said the only guardrail needed is a strong and smart president. He rejected calls for new regulations and criticized Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei.

Why are Democrats pushing for AI regulation?

Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are calling for Congress to consider new limits on AI companies following warnings from industry insiders about the technology's threat to humanity.

What is the pro-human AI event?

Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon are set to appear separately at an event calling for a pro-human approach to AI, highlighting an unusual coalition concerned about the technology's risks.

What is Speaker Johnson's position on AI guardrails?

Johnson said he will meet with AI executives soon alongside Trump, but he argued that Congress should not be in charge of AI guardrails, insisting it is the responsibility of tech companies.

How does this affect the midterms?

AI regulation has become a midterm issue, with candidates facing questions about balancing innovation and safety. Trump's stance could mobilize his base but may also concern voters worried about AI's impact.

What Happens Next

President Trump's rejection of AI regulation sets up a sharp contrast with Democrats and some industry leaders ahead of the November midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is pressing for Congress to stay in Washington to act, while Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled that he will meet with AI executives but has not committed to legislation. The upcoming pro-human AI event featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon will further spotlight the issue. With tech leaders like Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk calling for a slowdown, the debate over how to govern artificial intelligence is likely to intensify in the coming weeks. Readers should continue following this story as it shapes both the midterm campaigns and the future of AI policy in the United States.