David Sacks Influences Trump's Stance on AI Regulation

<figure> <img alt="David Sacks" src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/GettyImages-2220651293.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> David Sacks at is one of President Donald Trump’s most important advisers on AI. | JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As the heads of leading artificial intelligence companies came together last weekend to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/technology/anthropic-ceo-slower-ai-development.html">warn that runaway AI development</a> could lead to catastrophic outcomes, momentum <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/congress-is-suddenly-waking-up-to-the-ai-doomsday-threat-b40ab25a">briefly seemed to be building</a> for regulatory action from Washington.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, David Sacks, a venture capitalist and adviser to President Donald Trump, has emerged as a prominent voice opposing many proposals for government action regarding AI safety. Sacks has publicly referred to AI doomsday fears as a “<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117271304188365611">hoax</a>.”</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks, part of the “<a href="https://www.vox.com/2019/2/20/18233527/keith-rabois-founders-fund-peter-thiel-paypal-mafia">PayPal Mafia</a>,” has been influential in shaping the tech sector's rightward shift. He advised Elon Musk during his 2022 Twitter acquisition and frequently shares critical commentary about Democrats on social media and his podcast, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@allin"><em>All-In</em></a>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A senior White House official indicated that Trump’s recent opposition to AI safety warnings is largely influenced by Sacks, stating: “David Sacks. It’s all coming from him.”</p> <div class="wp-block-vox-media-highlight vox-media-highlight"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key takeaways</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>David Sacks is a key adviser to Trump on AI, typically arguing against government regulation of the industry.</li> <li>Sacks opposes the leading AI companies, OpenAI and Anthropic, advocating for “open weight” AI instead of proprietary models.</li> <li>Critics warn that open weight AI poses safety and national security risks, while supporters argue it prevents concentration of power in a few companies.</li> <li>Trump’s policies on AI chip sales abroad, including to China, are influenced by Sacks.</li> </ul> </div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks’s approach is notable as he champions the AI industry while opposing the two largest AI companies. His relationships in the tech industry have led to both allies and adversaries; for instance, investor Paul Graham has labeled Sacks as potentially “<a href="https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fpr037tqjpled1.png%3Fwidth%3D941%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D3d9e6fba2bf0e3fd083a5f2f49a8b7ac8f09f25e">the most evil person in Silicon Valley</a>.” Sacks’s influence reflects the complex politics and geopolitical stakes of AI development.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">After supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign and fundraising at his $20 million mansion, Sacks was appointed as the White House’s “artificial intelligence and crypto czar.” He helped shape AI policy until stepping down in March but continues to co-chair a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/president-trump-announces-appointments-to-presidents-council-of-advisors-on-science-and-technology/">presidential technology board</a>. His influence remains significant, as evidenced by a recent incident where a call from Sacks to Trump halted the signing of an executive order on AI.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Other Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, have expressed concerns about the risks of new AI tools and are advocating for a government body to oversee the industry. However, Trump has aligned more closely with Sacks’s perspective.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump stated that AI would be “the Greatest Economic Development Engine in History” and dismissed concerns about AI as a “hoax.”</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks’s position in the AI ecosystem highlights a divide over business models in AI, with his views contrasting sharply with those of leading AI companies. He has consistently opposed government regulation, advocating for a laissez-faire approach to innovation.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sacks's Position on AI Regulation</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks has argued against new regulations for AI companies, promoting a philosophy of “let them cook.” He believes that government intervention would hinder innovation, a view shared by some in the tech industry.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This stance puts him at odds with AI safety advocates, including CEOs from leading AI companies who have called for a slowdown in AI development due to safety concerns. Sacks has dismissed such warnings as “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvxjqbfLVk0&amp;t=70s">doomer histrionics</a>.”</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks has also criticized the leading AI labs, OpenAI and Anthropic, aligning himself with a faction in Silicon Valley that advocates for more decentralized AI development through open models. He argues that keeping innovation decentralized is crucial to avoiding a future dominated by a few companies.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Proponents of open models argue that widespread access to advanced AI will empower users and companies, contrasting with the current model dominated by a few major players. Sacks has accused companies like Anthropic of attempting to undermine open-source development through regulation.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Concerns about safety and national security risks associated with both closed and open models have been raised by critics. Advocates warn that open models could be exploited by malicious actors, while supporters of open models argue that excessive regulation would entrench the dominance of existing companies.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks has also pointed out the financial motivations behind AI safety advocacy, suggesting that companies like Anthropic fund advocacy groups to promote their interests.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump's AI Policies and China</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks’s influence raises questions about Trump’s policies regarding AI chip sales, particularly to China. National security experts have expressed concerns about these sales, fearing they could undermine the US’s competitive edge in AI.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sacks has argued that restricting chip sales could allow Chinese companies to gain a stronger foothold in the market. Critics, however, contend that such policies may inadvertently strengthen China’s AI sector.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The debate over open weight AI is complicated by the presence of Chinese companies producing competitive models. OpenAI and Anthropic have raised concerns about national security risks associated with these models, but the Trump administration has not taken significant action to restrict their use.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Overall, Sacks and Huang continue to hold significant sway over Trump’s AI policies, as demonstrated by a recent phone call from Trump during a podcast event, where he praised Sacks’s contributions.</p>