Trump signs order seeking early access to powerful AI models before their release

BREAKING NEWSJun. 2, 2026, 4:01 PM UTCArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligenceTrump signs order seeking early access to powerful AI models before their releasePresident Donald Trump previously delayed the signing of the order over concerns that it could hinder American competitiveness.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 30.Alex Brandon / APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Jared PerloPresident Donald Trump signed a landmark executive order targeting increasingly powerful AI systems Tuesday morning. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The order, signed in private, directs various federal groups to shore up the nation’s cybersecurity defenses for critical infrastructure and sets in motion a mechanism for the federal government to test and vet the most powerful AI systems for safety issues before they are deployed. The testing would rely on voluntary collaboration from America’s leading AI companies, like Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.“Advanced AI capabilities make our Nation stronger, but also introduce new national security considerations that require coordinated action across executive departments and agencies,” the executive order says. The order states the Trump administration will “work closely with industry to ensure that the best and most secure technology is deployed rapidly to confront any and all threats to our country.”The executive order was originally scheduled to be signed in late May, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The White House invited tech CEOs to attend the signing ceremony and held a press briefing with senior officials on the morning of the planned announcement. However, President Donald Trump pulled the order at the last minute, later telling reporters that the order could have hindered American companies’ competitiveness with Chinese companies.The exec...