President Trump on Friday explicitly ruled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as his artificial intelligence czar, quashing speculation that the Cabinet secretary was in the running for the newly created post.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that Bessent would not be the "Super Intelligence (SI) Czar," a rebranding the president has pushed for AI, because Bessent "doesn't want to." Trump added, "Number Two, he's doing such a great job at Treasury, and that's where I want to keep him! Why would I ever make such a change? Just more Fake News!"
The president's comments come after multiple media reports this week suggested Bessent was being considered for the role, which Trump announced last week to oversee AI development. Trump has likened the proposed "AI Force" to the Space Force he established in his first term, though he has not detailed its structure or authority.
Bessent has emerged as one of the administration's most prominent voices on AI policy, advocating for U.S. competitiveness while acknowledging the need for safeguards against emerging cybersecurity threats. His stance has sometimes diverged from Trump's more dismissive attitude toward AI risks. For instance, after Anthropic's Mythos model release, Bessent argued that the administration's pro-industry approach could coexist with safety measures.
The Treasury chief has also played a key role in U.S.-China discussions on AI. Ahead of President Xi Jinping's meeting with Trump this week, Bessent publicly discussed Washington's proposal for a notification system between the two nations regarding AI risks. In July, he took a hard line against China after allegations that Chinese companies were stealing proprietary information from U.S. AI models, threatening sanctions.
The AI czar role was previously held by venture capitalist David Sacks, who left the White House earlier this year when his special government employee term expired. Sacks remains influential as co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
It remains unclear who Trump is seriously considering for the role. Announcing the position last week, Trump said, "Only High I.Q. individuals need to apply!" without specifying how the duties might differ from Sacks' previous mandate.
Bessent's dismissal from consideration underscores the administration's focus on economic policy, even as AI remains a priority. His continued role at Treasury will be crucial in shaping U.S. financial and trade policies, particularly in relation to China. Related coverage includes Trump and Xi's upcoming meetings and Trump's approval of Patriot missile licenses for Ukraine.
