Scoop: Trump AI executive order seeks early government access to frontier models - Axios

The White House plans to release an executive order on cybersecurity and AI safety as soon as this week. According to a report from Axios published May 20, 2026, the order in its current form seeks to establish a voluntary framework for AI developers to share their frontier models with the government at least 90 days before public release. The order has been the subject of internal White House debate, with sources describing 'infighting' over its provisions, particularly between officials who favoured mandatory requirements and those who pushed for a lighter touch.

The voluntary framework would apply to frontier AI models, though the specific criteria for what constitutes a frontier model are not detailed in the Axios report. The 90-day prerelease sharing period is intended to allow government safety testing and cybersecurity review.

The executive order is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to address AI safety, though critics have noted the voluntary nature of the framework means compliance is not mandatory. The timing of the release could slip due to the internal disagreements, but officials expect it as soon as this week. The effectiveness of the order will depend on industry willingness to participate and the details of the final text, which remains subject to change.