Trump open to AI guardrails with Democrats, warns against trailing China
President Trump told CBS's "60 Minutes" he "doesn't mind guardrails" on artificial intelligence and is open to working with Democrats on safeguards. He said rules must not put the US in "a deep second position" behind China.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Asked on "60 Minutes" whether the US should accept AI's risks to stay ahead of China, President Trump said the dangers were manageable. "I don't mind guardrails," he said, adding that he did not want regulation to put the country in "a deep second position" behind China, which he said has no such limits, Reuters reported. He said he was open to working with Democrats on safeguards.
Why it matters
Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January after campaigning partly on voters' worries about AI and data centers, NBC News reported. NBC also found Democrats split over which AI harms to tackle first, and said opposition from the Trump administration could complicate new rules. A president willing to sign some guardrails changes that math.
More context
What changed: Trump has generally favored letting tech companies police themselves rather than imposing broad federal rules, Reuters and The Guardian noted. Sunday's remarks suggest some openness to safeguards, but he did not say what kind or at what level.
What would change the story: A specific proposal from the White House, or Trump backing or rejecting a named Democratic bill. Until then, the China caveat leaves wide room to oppose rules that companies say would slow them down.
3 listed sources
- Reuters (via Investing.com), Trump says AI risks can be managed, signals openness to guardrails, Nov. 8, 2026
- The Guardian, Trump admits deportation policy was 'too tough' despite promotion of Stephen Miller, Nov. 9, 2026
- NBC News, Democrats won big on Election Day. But can they agree on AI?, Nov. 8, 2026
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Trump's quotes come from the CBS "60 Minutes" interview as reported by Reuters and The Guardian. He named no bill, agency or specific rule.
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