Jen Psaki Takes Aim at Trump’s Simplistic View of AI Threats

On Tuesday’s edition of MS NOW, former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki turned the spotlight on former President Donald Trump’s grasp of artificial‑intelligence hazards. After hearing Trump’s off‑the‑cuff suggestion that a rogue AI could simply be “turned off” like a kitchen appliance, Psaki sounded anything but convinced.

“When it comes to the actual threats that could be caused by AI, I’m doubtful Trump understands the bigger implications—or even cares,” Psaki said, noting the former president’s habit of flooding his Truth Social feed with what she called “AI slop.” She reminded viewers of past posts where Trump downplayed the technology’s potential dangers.

Industry experts have warned that future AI systems might reach a point where they no longer respond to human commands. In contrast, Trump’s response, as Psaki recapped, was to liken the solution to pulling the plug on a toaster. “Just like it’s a toaster that you unplug, I guess, is what’s in his mind,” she added, before showing a clip of Trump dismissing the threat.

“Does that sound like someone who knows how AI works to you?” Psaki asked, letting the question hang in the studio air. The exchange highlighted a growing chasm between political rhetoric and the technical realities that AI researchers are racing to address.

Whether the former president’s simplistic analogy will sway public opinion or merely add another footnote to the ongoing debate about AI safety remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that leaders on both sides of the aisle are being pressed to articulate concrete strategies—beyond unplugging—to keep emerging technologies in check.