Scoop: 60+ MAGA allies tell Trump to vet AI before release - Axios

More than 60 allies of President Trump, including former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, have signed a letter urging Trump to implement a system of testing and approving the most powerful AI models before their public release. The letter reportedly puts this group at odds with the White House's current hands-off approach to AI regulation. The signatories are described as loyal MAGA allies, representing a vocal faction within Trump's base.

The letter specifically calls for pre-release vetting of frontier AI models, though it does not provide details on how such testing would be conducted or what criteria would be used for approval. The move signals a split within the Trump coalition on AI policy, with some supporters advocating for more oversight despite the administration's deregulatory stance. The White House has not yet responded publicly to the letter.

This development comes amid growing bipartisan attention to AI risks, with other conservative voices also expressing concern about potential harms from unregulated AI.