IMPLICATOR
President Donald Trump on Monday rejected calls for new artificial-intelligence guardrails and singled out Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei for urging companies to slow the development of their most capable models. “The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!” Trump wrote, adding that the government already has “tremendous CRIMINAL and REGULATORY power over these companies!” The posts reopened the administration’s feud with Anthropic while putting Trump at odds with voters and members of his own party who favor safety checks.
What Changed
- Trump posted about AI six times on Monday, saying the only guardrail AI needs is a "STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT."
- He mocked Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei as "pretending to be a 'perfect little angel'" and claimed the government already holds "tremendous CRIMINAL and REGULATORY power" over AI companies, without saying what it had stopped Anthropic from doing.
- The attack came less than two weeks after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Anthropic was "back on the right side."
- Trump also criticized Google's €13 billion Finland AI investment, while a recent NBC News poll found 70% of U.S. adults more worried than excited about AI.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
The Monday posts
Trump had posted about AI six times by Monday evening. In the morning, he said his administration had stopped AI companies from doing “bad, or potentially bad, ‘things,’ like Dario (Anthropic!), who is now pretending to be a ‘perfect little angel.’” He also called opposition to AI and data centers a “SICK conspiracy” that benefits China and added: “Conspiracy Theorists, Treasonists, Traitors, and Leakers, BEWARE!”
In an afternoon post, Trump wrote that “AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX,” comparing such fears to the Russia investigation and his impeachments. He called AI and data centers “the Greatest Economic Development Engine in History” and said they “will not be stopped by brilliantly run Destructive Forces.”
Trump criticized Google’s plan to build AI infrastructure in Finland and wrote that the company wanted to build there because it was finding permitting too difficult in the United States. Google announced the €13 billion, or $15.1 billion, commitment on Sept. 9, its largest single investment in Europe. “I am not happy about this, and want them to change their thinking,” Trump wrote.
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The Anthropic feud
Trump did not say what his administration had stopped Anthropic from doing.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk after the company sought restrictions on military uses of its tools. Anthropic sued. The relationship appeared to improve earlier in September, when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, “We trust Anthropic” and “They’ve done what we asked. They’re back on the right side.” Trump attacked Amodei less than two weeks later.
Amodei’s Saturday essay, “We Must Pace the Frontier,” called for slowing capability gains, a position Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman supported.
The political split
A recent NBC News Decision Desk poll found that 70% of U.S. adults were more worried than excited about AI. It also found that 69% opposed an AI data center in their area, including 57% of Republican voters.
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Vice President JD Vance questioned the motives of companies seeking regulation, saying, “It feels a little bit to me like a bit of a Trojan horse.” But he also acknowledged the concern: “There are risks, there are downsides to anything, and that’s certainly true of AI.” House Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress “potentially” will need guardrails.
Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, wrote: “Calling Americans worried about the existential risks posed by AI ‘treasonists’ and ‘traitors’ is further proof President Trump doesn’t understand the current moment.”
Calls and meetings
Trump phoned Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang while Huang was onstage at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles. “The robots will not be taking over. The AI will not be taking over the rest of the world. The whole thing is a hoax,” Trump said. Huang replied, “You’re right, we are not gonna let that happen, sir.”
A meeting between Trump and AI executives is being planned, but no date has been set. Chinese President Xi Jinping is due in Washington for a state visit on Sept. 24. “Fearmongering, confrontation and vicious competition will only disrupt the process of global AI governance and serve the interests of no one,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about AI guardrails?
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote that "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT." In an afternoon post he called fears of AI destroying humanity a "HOAX."
Why did Trump single out Dario Amodei?
Amodei's Saturday essay, "We Must Pace the Frontier," called for slowing AI capability gains, and Elon Musk and Sam Altman backed it. Trump wrote that his administration had stopped AI companies from doing bad things, "like Dario (Anthropic!)," but did not say what it had stopped.
What is the history between Anthropic and the administration?
Earlier this year the Pentagon designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk after the company sought restrictions on military uses of its tools, and Anthropic sued. In early September, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the company was "back on the right side."
Why did Trump criticize Google?
Trump wrote that Google wants to build in Finland because it finds U.S. permitting too difficult, and said he was not happy about it. Google announced the €13 billion ($15.1 billion) commitment on Sept. 9, its largest single investment in Europe.
What happens next?
A meeting between Trump and AI executives is being planned with no date set. Chinese President Xi Jinping is due in Washington for a state visit on Sept. 24.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
Marcus Schuler
Editor-in-Chief and founder of Implicator.ai. Former ARD correspondent and senior broadcast journalist with 10+ years covering tech. Writes daily briefings on policy and market developments. Based in San Francisco. E-mail: editor@implicator.ai
