Trump Voters Favor AI Oversight Amid Administration’s Deregulation Push

A new POLITICO poll shows that roughly three-quarters of Americans who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 support some form of government oversight of artificial intelligence. Only 13 % say the federal government should stay out of AI regulation entirely. Voters are evenly split on whether AI’s benefits outweigh its risks—42 % say the benefits dominate, another 42 % say the risks dominate, and 16 % are unsure. When asked who should set the rules, 59 % favor federal authority, while 24 % prefer state-level control.

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President Trump has promoted a deregulatory AI strategy, emphasizing rapid development and a competitive edge over China. The White House released an AI Action Plan last summer that focuses on infrastructure expansion and pre-empting state regulations. Simultaneously, state GOP leaders in Florida, Utah, and elsewhere have introduced bills that would impose transparency and safety requirements, creating a visible rift within the party.

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• President Donald Trump – advocates deregulation and a federal framework.

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• Dean Ball, former White House adviser and lead author of the AI Action Plan.

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• Doug Fiefia, Utah Republican state representative who authored a state AI safety bill.

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• Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) – opposes a Senate-level moratorium on state AI laws.

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• Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

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• Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, who pushed an AI “bill of rights.”

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• Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, and Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, who warned of large-scale job displacement.

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• 75 % of Trump voters favor AI oversight; 13 % oppose any regulation.

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• 59 % want federal regulation; 24 % prefer state control.

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• 55 % of MAGA voters say the administration has done enough to keep the U.S. ahead in AI, versus 43 % of non-MAGA voters.

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• 54 % of non-MAGA voters prioritize safety even if it slows progress; MAGA voters are split 42-42 on safety versus speed.

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• Amodei predicts half of entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear within five years; Suleyman forecasts most white-collar roles automated by mid-2027.

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The poll’s findings intersect with the 2026 midterm elections, where super PACs on both pro-innovation and pro-regulation sides are spending heavily to influence congressional races. Legislative outcomes will shape a federal AI standard, affect labor-market dynamics, and determine the balance between national security concerns about China and domestic consumer protections.

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The White House continues to stress the need to outpace China while acknowledging calls for safeguards. OSTP Director Michael Kratsios expressed optimism about crafting a bipartisan federal framework. Senator Blackburn argued that without federal pre-emptive legislation, states cannot adequately protect “vulnerable Americans.” Dean Ball noted that Republican voters are not convinced that a hands-off approach is optimal, and Governor DeSantis has advanced a state-level AI “bill of rights” to impose safeguards.

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State legislators like Rep. Doug Fiefia criticize federal attempts to block state AI safety measures, calling the effort “disappointing” and undemocratic. Within the GOP, MAGA supporters are divided on whether safety should be sacrificed for speed, while non-MAGA voters lean toward stricter regulation. Tech executives warn that insufficient oversight could accelerate job losses.

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The poll reveals an exact split—42 % each—on whether AI’s benefits outweigh its risks, indicating no clear consensus among Trump voters. Additionally, while a majority favor federal regulation, a sizable minority still advocate state-level action, leaving the preferred regulatory hierarchy unresolved.

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• “Republican voters by and large are not buying this idea that no regulation is the optimal outcome here,” — Dean Ball, former White House adviser

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• “They don’t actually want to shut the whole thing down,” — Dean Ball

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• “It’s disappointing to see an unelected federal bureaucrat discourage states from addressing issues that affect our own communities,” — Doug Fiefia, Utah Rep.

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• “Until Congress passes federally preemptive legislation … we can’t block states from standing in the gap to protect vulnerable Americans from harm — including Tennessee creators and precious children,” — Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator (R-TN)

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• “It touches a lot of points that we’ve seen on both sides of the aisle, and we’re optimistic that we can try to get something done this year,” — Michael Kratsios, OSTP Director

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The November midterms will test candidates’ stances on AI oversight, while Congress is expected to intensify efforts to draft a federal AI standard. State legislatures are likely to continue proposing safety bills, setting the stage for further federal-state clashes over the future of artificial intelligence policy.

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