The Brian Lehrer Show Trump's Effort to Ban State AI Laws
Dec 10, 2025
Tina Nguyen, a Senior reporter for The Verge and author of the Regulator newsletter, dives into Trump's attempts to halt state AI regulations. She explores the legal limits of presidential power and the debates surrounding federal versus state control. Nguyen also highlights public anxieties about AI, the concept of digital twins, and potential workforce threats. Further, she discusses bipartisan concerns over AI's impact on mental health and identifies tech billionaires influencing Trump's stance on AI regulation.
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Federal Pressure Can Override State Action
- A leaked executive order can't directly ban state AI rules, but it can punish states via lawsuits and withholding federal funds.
- Trump can make state regulation politically and financially difficult without legally dictating tech practices.
Preemption Vs. Moratoriums Are Very Different
- Preemption differs from a federal regulatory framework; Congress could set standards or ban states from acting.
- Industry-backed efforts sought long moratoria (e.g., 10 years) to prevent state laws, which worried many policymakers.
AI Regulation Breaks Usual Party Lines
- AI regulation cuts across party lines, with Democrats focusing on environment and safety and some right-wing Republicans worried about job displacement.
- Hard-right figures sometimes frame AI as an existential replacement threat, aligning unlikely allies on regulation.