Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) launched a sharp attack on President Trump's grasp of artificial intelligence, calling his apparent lack of awareness about the technology's risks "embarrassing" and "ignorant."
In an interview with MS NOW's Akayla Gardner, a clip of which was posted Tuesday on X, Sanders said: "Look, it is embarrassing, really, I think, going beyond politics, how ignorant this president is about the dangers of AI."
The Vermont senator's comments came after Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to defend his administration's approach to AI, asserting that the only necessary safeguard is presidential intellect. "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!" Trump wrote. He added that his administration had "stopped AI 'people' from doing bad, or potentially bad, 'things.'"
Sanders' rebuke underscores a growing political divide over AI regulation, with Democrats and some industry leaders calling for more robust oversight while the White House touts a hands-off, executive-centered approach. The president's remarks drew immediate criticism from tech experts and lawmakers who argue that AI poses systemic risks that no single leader can mitigate.
Adding to the pressure, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issued a public plea on Saturday for a slowdown in AI development to allow for the implementation of safety measures. "We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models," Amodei wrote in a blog post. "Progress will still seem fast, and we must make wise use of the time we gain."
Amodei's call was echoed by OpenAI's Sam Altman and Tesla's Elon Musk, both of whom have previously warned about the potential dangers of unregulated AI. The Anthropic chief recommended that AI companies adopt "pacing" strategies—slowing the release of new models to ensure adequate alignment and third-party evaluation. "To be clear, pacing does not mean halting model training or technical progress, but ensuring companies take adequate time to align and safeguard their models, and for third party evaluators to confirm this," he wrote.
The debate comes as Trump's foreign policy gambits and Republican midterm prospects remain under scrutiny. Sanders' criticism also highlights a broader concern among progressives that the administration is not taking AI's potential harms seriously—from job displacement to autonomous weapons and disinformation.
The White House has not yet responded to The Hill's request for comment on Sanders' remarks. However, Trump's previous statements suggest he views AI as a tool that can be managed by strong leadership rather than by regulatory frameworks. His administration has rolled back several tech oversight measures, and he has repeatedly touted American AI dominance as a strategic priority.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, AI policy is emerging as a key battleground. Sanders, who has long advocated for stricter corporate regulations, is likely to continue pressing the issue, especially as Trump's economic promises and congressional rebukes shape the national conversation.
