Trump Announces Plans for an 'AI Force' and a New AI Czar

Washington – In a fairly animated post on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump said he is moving to build what he called an “AI Force.” He added that an “AI Czar” would soon be announced to steer the effort.

Trump’s wording was unmistakable: he would not stand by while the “decimation or destruction” of artificial intelligence happens. “We will not in any way hinder or stifle the growth of this incredible industry,” he wrote, “rather we will cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows!” He went on to promise that the new force would hunt down bad actors “very easily” using the existing criminal and civil justice system.

The former president painted AI as the next industrial revolution – comparable to the rise of the internet – and even floated a bold figure that the technology could eventually account for up to 25 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. He dismissed concerns about AI’s risks as part of a broader “hoax” narrative he says the Democrats push, lumping the claim together with his long‑standing positions on the Russia‑Ukraine war and climate change.

Trump didn’t give any specifics about how the AI Force would be organized or what powers the AI Czar would wield. The announcement, however, lands squarely in the middle of a heated national debate about the rapid pace of AI development and the potential security, ethical and economic implications.

Just days earlier, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche warned that America can’t afford to fall behind China in the AI race. Speaking at a White House media briefing, Blanche said the Justice Department would investigate criminal conduct tied to AI but stopped short of calling the agency a regulator for the technology.

“We can’t lose the AI race to China, right?” Blanche asked rhetorically, echoing Trump’s sentiment that staying ahead is a matter of national survival. His comments came after tech leaders warned that unchecked AI advances could pose serious threats to national security and civil liberties.

As the conversation heats up, Trump’s promise to form an AI Force adds a political twist to an already complex policy puzzle. Whether the plan will materialize into a structured agency, a new advisory cabinet post, or simply remain rhetorical remains to be seen.

For now, the focus is on the messaging – a blend of enthusiasm for innovation and a hard‑line stance on misuse – a balance that will likely shape how the United States approaches AI in the years ahead.