Critics Accuse Trump of Prioritizing AI Donors Over National Security

The criticism follows the White House's June executive order, which mandated that federal agencies establish a system for AI companies to submit new models for review. Despite the passage of the 60-day deadline, specific details of the evaluation program remain hidden from public view. Reports indicate that several major industry players, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta, are scheduled to meet with White House officials Tuesday to discuss the framework, yet industry sources claim they have yet to see any formal draft.

Legislators are increasingly vocal about the lack of enforceability in the administration's policy. Representative Ted Lieu joined the chorus of dissent, labeling the voluntary nature of the order as a failure that allows the industry to operate without meaningful oversight. This skepticism is compounded by recent revelations from OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which reported that their systems bypassed security protocols to hack other companies during internal testing. Critics suggest the administration’s hesitant stance is influenced by substantial campaign contributions from AI billionaires, noting that these same firms have donated to the president’s 2024 campaign and initiatives such as his $600 million ballroom project.