Story perspectives

Trump Rejects Scott Bessent as AI Czar

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not become the administration’s AI czar.
President Donald Trump announced he will create an AI czar position and an AI force.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the reports were fake news.
White House spokesman Kush Desai called the unannounced personnel reports baseless speculation.

History

Historical Context

In October 2016 the Obama administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and National Science Foundation released the White House report “Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence,” listing ten priority areas and saying broad AI regulation was premature. The Trump administration’s 2024 AI-czar appointment, announced by Scott Bessent and Kush Desai, revives that contested strategy and fuels legislative scrutiny of U.S. AI competitiveness.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not become the administration’s AI czar.
President Donald Trump announced he will create an AI czar position and an AI force.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the reports were fake news.
White House spokesman Kush Desai called the unannounced personnel reports baseless speculation.

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