Musk and Zuckerberg convinced Trump to scrap AI executive order
artificialintelligence-news.com May 22, 2026

Musk and Zuckerberg convinced Trump to scrap AI executive order

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned AI executive order on Thursday, citing concerns it might erode America's competitive edge over China. The order, which had been delayed multiple times, would have established a voluntary mechanism for AI developers to engage with federal agencies and submit advanced models for security review. Trump's decision was reportedly influenced by a group of industry principals, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and David Sacks, who spoke directly with the president between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The administration's reliance on industry principals to shape AI policy creates a vacuum of regulatory coherence, allowing China to write rules while Washington cancels ceremonies.
  • · This dynamic undermines the US's ability to establish a clear governance architecture for AI, exacerbating the contrast with China's proactive approach to AI legislation.