Donald Trump has positioned himself against regulating artificial intelligence, characterising safety concerns as a "hoax" and "scam" despite bipartisan calls for restrictions. His stance is heavily influenced by David Sacks, a billionaire venture capitalist serving as his AI adviser, who opposes regulation fearing it would undermine US competitiveness in the global AI race. This alignment has resulted in multiple executive orders designed to prevent states from restricting AI development.

Sacks maintains direct financial interests in multiple AI companies and has demonstrated considerable influence within the White House, directing litigation against states attempting to impose AI restrictions and shaping federal AI policy. His position has put him at odds with over 100 leading AI researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton, who recently signed a letter urging third-party evaluations of AI models – which Sacks dismissed as "pseudoscience" and "censorship." Critics argue that Sacks' proximity to Trump exemplifies how wealth and connections can directly shape government policy, with the venture capitalist visible at major AI summits and even present during Trump's recent call with Nvidia's CEO.