May 21, 2026 | Washington D.C.
U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed the signing of a major executive order on artificial intelligence, saying he was not satisfied with “certain aspects” of the draft and did not want to take steps that could weaken America’s global leadership in AI.
The signing ceremony, which was expected to be held at the White House with participation from top technology and AI industry executives, was called off just hours before it was scheduled.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the decision was made because the order “didn’t fully align” with his priorities for keeping the United States ahead of China in the AI race. He stressed that any regulation or framework must not slow down innovation or hurt American companies.
According to officials familiar with the proposal, the executive order would have created a voluntary framework for AI companies to coordinate with the federal government before releasing advanced models, along with measures to strengthen cybersecurity using AI tools.
However, the president did not specify which sections he objected to.
Industry observers say the delay reflects ongoing tension between promoting rapid AI innovation and introducing safeguards for national security and responsible deployment. The White House has not announced a new date for the signing.
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