Trump News: Impact on Tech Policy and AI Regulation

Trump's Return to Office Could Reverse Biden's AI Executive Order

Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Biden's 2023 Executive Order on artificial intelligence on his first day back in office, arguing the framework imposes unnecessary burdens on American tech companies. The order established mandatory safety testing requirements and federal oversight for advanced AI models, requiring firms like OpenAI, Google, and Meta to submit risk assessments and adopt voluntary commitments. Trump's advisors say the policy stifles innovation and cedes ground to China in the AI race.

"Biden's executive order is a bureaucratic stranglehold on the most transformative technology since the internet. We will terminate it immediately." — Trump campaign policy document, January 2026

Repeal would remove the only federal guardrails governing large language models and generative AI systems. Industry groups like the Chamber of Progress have praised the potential rollback, while safety researchers warn that eliminating mandatory risk assessments could accelerate the deployment of biased or unreliable AI systems without independent scrutiny. Without the order, the burden of proof shifts from companies to regulators, who would need to prove harm before acting.

• The executive order required developers of "dual-use foundation models" to share test results with the government.
• It established the AI Safety Institute within NIST to evaluate model risks before public release.
• A repeal could void existing voluntary commitments from 15 leading AI companies, including commitments to watermark AI-generated content.
• Legal experts note that some provisions, like those governing federal procurement, could be undone by executive action alone.

Antitrust Enforcement Against Big Tech May Wane Under a Second Trump Term

Trump's first administration launched high-profile antitrust lawsuits against Google and Facebook, but his second term could signal a dramatic shift. Recent campaign donors include tech executives like Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen, who advocate for lighter antitrust enforcement. Trump's choice for FTC chair, Andrew Ferguson, has publicly criticized the current FTC's aggressive approach under Lina Khan, labeling it "a war on American innovation."

The Department of Justice's ongoing case against Google for search monopoly and the FTC's action against Amazon for pricing practices could face settlements or dismissals. During a May 2026 speech, Ferguson hinted that structural remedies like breaking up companies are off the table. "We need to focus on clear consumer harm, not hypothetical competition," he said. This stance aligns with the Tech Freedom coalition, which argues that antitrust cases slow investment.

• The DOJ's Google search monopoly case, filed in 2020, could be settled with a consent decree requiring minor behavioral changes.
• The FTC's antitrust suit against Amazon over its marketplace practices might be dropped entirely, sources close to the transition say.
• Ongoing investigations into Apple's App Store policies and Meta's acquisitions are likely to be deprioritized.

The shift could have far-reaching consequences for startups that rely on large platforms for distribution. As the Supreme Court's latest ruling on tech liability showed, judicial trends also affect enforcement — but a friendly FTC reduces the threat of aggressive antitrust action.

Trump's New AI Czar Signals a Deregulatory Era for Artificial Intelligence

Trump named venture capitalist David Sacks as "AI Czar" in April 2026, a post created to coordinate federal AI policy across agencies. Sacks, a co-host of the All-In podcast and early investor in AI startups, advocates for minimal regulation and open-source development. He has described "AI safetyism" as a threat to US competitiveness and called for removing legal liability for AI-generated content to spur innovation.

"The only way to win the AI race is to build fast and break things. Europe regulates; America innovates." — David Sacks, at the AI Frontiers Conference, March 2026

Sacks' appointment signals a deregulatory era for artificial intelligence. His policy roadmap includes fast-tracking AI adoption in defense and healthcare, exempting AI firms from Section 230 liability changes, and promoting open-source models like Meta's Llama line. Consumer advocates worry this will sideline protections against algorithmic bias, deepfakes, and data privacy violations.

• Sacks has proposed a "AI Bill of Rights 2.0" that prioritizes innovation over safety guardrails.
• His executive order blueprint would bar federal agencies from requiring safety testing for AI models unless they are used in critical infrastructure.
• Defense contracts for AI systems are expected to surge, with Sacks meeting with Pentagon officials to fast-track lethal autonomous weapons approvals.

The appointment comes as international coordination on AI governance stalls. The UK's approach to AI regulation and startup growth relies on a flexible framework, but a Trump-led US retreat from global talks could weaken the EU's AI Act enforcement and leave a regulatory vacuum.

Key Takeaways

• Trump's deregulation of AI would eliminate federal safety standards, potentially increasing risks of bias and misuse while accelerating deployment.
• Big tech antitrust cases could be weakened, allowing consolidation and reduced competition.
• A Trump-led AI policy may prioritize rapid deployment over safety testing, benefiting large tech firms at the expense of consumer protections.
• International cooperation on AI governance could stall as the US steps back from coordinated frameworks like the G7 Hiroshima Process.
• Investors and AI startups may see short-term gains from reduced compliance costs but face long-term accountability issues.
• Educational institutions like Eton College are embracing AI, but without federal guardrails, the gap between adoption and ethics widens.