Trump Administration Halts Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 Model Amid New AI Vetting Initiative

In early 2025 the Trump administration labeled Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 a supply-chain risk and ordered a pause on its use. The same week it issued an executive order asking AI firms to submit new models for federal vetting before wider release.

Gizmodo

The move follows Vice President Vance’s February 2025 Paris speech rejecting AI regulation as harmful to incumbents and progress. Earlier, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned in 2023 that AI could “go quite wrong” and urged government cooperation.

Gizmodo

• 2023 – Altman’s congressional testimony on AI safety.

Gizmodo

• Feb 2025 – Vance’s Paris speech rejecting regulation.

Gizmodo

• Early 2025 – Executive order requesting model vetting.

Gizmodo

• Early 2025 – Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 halted.

Gizmodo

Anthropic’s survey shows 15 % of Americans trust AI firms to decide development, 70 % oppose new data-center construction, and 87 % think foreign governments are likely to use AI against the United States within two decades.

Gizmodo

The executive order is described as a request, yet officials note it effectively limits releases. Anthropic was deemed a supply-chain risk, prompting the halt. OpenAI’s blog said it does not believe the government access process should become the long-term default. Saif Khan warned the actions have created an almost complete moratorium on new releases, threatening revenues.

Gizmodo

Surveys reveal low public trust in AI firms and strong opposition to local data-center projects. Cybersecurity experts warn U.S. labs may lag Chinese competitors as regulatory uncertainty stalls development. Industry insiders describe the climate as “walking on eggshells,” highlighting concerns about competitive disadvantage and financial strain.

Gizmodo

Sources differ on the executive order’s nature: one calls it a “request,” while its effect resembles a mandate. The moratorium is described as “almost complete,” yet OpenAI continues limited GPT 5.6 deployments, indicating partial enforcement. No congressional legislation has been enacted to formalize AI oversight.

Gizmodo

• “The administration’s current actions have resulted in an almost complete moratorium on new releases,” — Saif Khan, former Biden tech advisor

Gizmodo

• “We don’t believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default,” — OpenAI, official blog post

Gizmodo

• “would not only unfairly benefit incumbents in the space, it would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies we have seen in generations.” — Vice President Vance, Paris speech, February 2025

Gizmodo

• “I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong. And we want to be vocal about that,” — Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI

Gizmodo

OpenAI is collaborating with the administration to develop a repeatable vetting framework for future model releases, while Anthropic awaits clarification on its supply-chain designation. Public concern about AI safety and foreign use remains high.

Gizmodo