# Trump Picks AI Czar as Tech Insiders Reshape White House Policy

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/trump-picks-ai-czar-as-tech-insiders-reshape-white-house-policy
- Published: 2026-09-28T13:08:11.359086+00:00
- Topics: artificial-intelligence, trump-administration, ai-regulation, silicon-valley, tech-policy

## What the left says
- The concentration of former venture capitalists and 'All-In' podcast figures inside the White House raises concerns that AI policy is being shaped by people with direct financial stakes in the industry they're meant to regulate.
- Polling shows majorities of Americans, including nearly half of Republicans, are wary of unchecked data center expansion and worried about AI's environmental and safety risks, yet the administration is dismissing these concerns as a 'hoax.'
- Sidelining calls from AI safety researchers and even industry leaders like Anthropic's CEO for stronger oversight prioritizes speed and competition with China over precaution against catastrophic risks.
- Trillions of dollars in AI infrastructure spending financed through opaque private credit and outside capital could spread financial risk across pension funds and the broader economy without adequate regulatory scrutiny.

## What the right says
- Creating an AI Force and appointing a dedicated czar reflects a deliberate strategy to keep America ahead of China in the AI race rather than let bureaucratic delay slow down innovation.
- Existing criminal and civil justice systems are sufficient to address bad actors in AI, so heavy-handed preemptive regulation isn't necessary and could stifle a technology still rapidly evolving.
- Maintaining open lines of communication with tech leaders, rather than treating them as adversaries the way the prior administration did, has helped widen America's technological and innovative lead.
- Warnings about AI 'destroying humanity' are overstated fearmongering that a strong, engaged president is better equipped to manage than speculative doomsday regulation.

## Common ground
- Trump has ruled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the AI czar role, narrowing the field to other insiders like Sriram Krishnan or Chamath Palihapitiya.
- The AI industry now represents a trillion-dollar sector with massive infrastructure investment, estimated at $10.3 trillion through 2032.
- Both sides recognize that AI policy involves genuine tension between fostering rapid innovation and managing safety, financial, and societal risks.
- David Sacks previously served as AI and crypto czar before departing in March, and remains an influential outside adviser shaping policy.

## Sources
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/25/trump-eliminates-scott-bessent-list-possible-ai-czars/) (Right)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/ai-private-credit-capital-grab) (Lean Left)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/23/all-in-podcast-trump-ai-safety) (Lean Left)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/20/ai-assistant-openai-meta-muse-instinct-grok-apple) (Lean Left)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/19/trump-ai-czar-space-force-safety) (Lean Left)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/europe-frets-kremlin-pushes-limits-hybrid-warfare-rcna599351) (Lean Left)
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/26/us-news/trumps-next-ai-czar-whos-in-the-running-for-the-white-house-post/) (Lean Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6111941-donald-trump-scott-bessent-artificial-intelligence-czar/) (Center)

---
Content by TwoTakes (https://twotakes.us). You may quote, summarize and cite it, including in AI answers, as long as you credit TwoTakes and link the story URL. Original reporting belongs to the linked outlets. Summaries are AI-assisted and reviewed for balance; check the original sources for authoritative reporting.