Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has accused President Donald Trump of being “compromised” on AI after the latter’s comments opposing regulation of the emerging technology provoked uproar.
Trump has lashed at critics of artificial intelligence several times in recent days, rubbishing concerns about its potential for harm and arguing that any slowdown in its development would hand China a competitive edge.
He then launched into a series of ranting posts on Truth Social Monday – in which he alleged a “SICK conspiracy” was trying to rein in the sector, overlooking comments by industry leaders Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Dario Amodei – which sparked calls for his removal from office under the 25th Amendment.
Responding on MS NOW’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Monday evening, the senator – who is seen as one of his party’s rising stars and has been tipped for a 2028 presidential run – was asked how he believed an “active, alert” president should respond to the existential challenges posed by AI.
“This is a moment that calls for wise and capable leadership,” Ossoff responded, agreeing with O’Donnell’s earlier comparison between AI and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the mid-20th century.
“It’s not by skill, but rather by luck, that for the last 80 years we’ve avoided a nuclear exchange between two powers and our wisdom has to catch up with our technical capacity,” the senator said.
He called for Big Tech bosses to testify “immediately” before Congress, allow inspectors to visit their laboratories and for the U.S. to fortify itself against bioterrorism, which he called “one of the most significant potential threats associated with this technology.”
Pivoting to the president, he said: “Donald Trump basically says we’re gonna sit on our hands and hope for the best. And, remember, he’s conflicted.
“1789 Capital – the venture firm that Don Jr is a partner in – they’ve invested heavily in AI labs, they’ve invested heavily in data centres, so the First Family has a financial stake in this industry and, as a result, the president of the United States is compromised.”
The Independent has reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.
Later in the interview, Ossoff called the president “a dangerously corrupt and incompetent man” and reminded voters to do their “patriotic duty” in November’s midterms and help Democrats win their races “decisively.”
He was also asked about Trump’s eldest son, the aforementioned Don Jr, recently marrying Florida socialite Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas in a ceremony partially paid for by Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who has ties to President Vladimir Putin.
“We are witnessing people drunk with power, who are utterly reckless, utterly corrupt, and obviously believe that they live with impunity,” Ossoff said.
“They believe they’re untouchable. They believe they’re invincible. Let’s prove them wrong… Let’s teach Donald Trump a lesson he’ll never forget.”
Ossoff recently made headlines by mocking the president over his close relationship with his executive assistant Natalie Harp at a rally in Atlanta.
“He doesn’t want to do his job,” the senator said, in comments that quickly went viral. “He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar.”
The reference to Harp drew a furious response from both the president – who angrily likened Ossoff to the 1980s children’s entertainer Pee-wee Herman – and the White House, which inadvertently prolonged the controversy by aggressively going on the attack and demanding the Democrat apologize.
