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Trump delays AI executive order, cites risks to US innovation
22 May 2026

US President Donald Trump has postponed the signing of an executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The decision comes after a top adviser and some tech executives expressed their disapproval of the move.

The ceremony, which was supposed to be attended by leading tech CEOs such as Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and Sam Altman, was called off just hours before it was scheduled to begin.

Didn't like certain aspects of it, postponed it: Trump
Regulation concerns

Trump has openly expressed his dislike for the proposed executive order, saying it would hamper American companies in the global market.

"I didn't like certain aspects of it, I postponed it," he told reporters in the Oval Office.

He further explained that he didn't want anything to hinder America's lead over China and other countries in AI technology.

Internal disagreements within Trump administration over AI regulation
Policy disputes

The decision to delay the signing also highlights internal disagreements within the Trump administration over how strictly to regulate the AI industry.

There are divisions between those who favor a pro-AI economic approach and those who are more concerned about cybersecurity threats.

The order would have asked companies to voluntarily submit new technology for government review over national security concerns amid rising fears of AI-related cyberattacks.

Executive order divided into 2 parts
Order specifics

The executive order was divided into two parts: one focused on upgrading America's own systems, and the other on securing frontier model deployment.

This would have looked at hardware and security requirements for large new AI systems such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure.

However, there were disputes over some of the language in this order, which contributed to its postponement.

Trump's approach to innovation and regulations
AI perspective

Despite the delay, Trump has been careful not to stifle innovation in the private sector.

He has repealed many Biden-era regulations in this space, including one on refrigeration rules to lower grocery prices.

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that "The president wants us to be pro-innovation."

He added that the administration is trying to strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring public safety.