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Bessent Says Trump Leads AI Policy as Reports Cast Him as Czar Contender

September 23, 2026 at 18:15 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Security
AI Agents

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back on speculation that he is set to become President Donald Trump's AI czar, casting Trump himself as the person directing the administration's artificial intelligence agenda. The clarification came after reports said Bessent had emerged as a leading contender for a new White House role that has not yet been formally defined.

Sept. 23, 2026 · U.S. AI policy

Bessent deflects AI czar speculation

The Treasury secretary says Trump remains the person directing the AI agenda, even as reports place Bessent among the possible coordinators for a still-undefined AI Force.

12hNew York AI talks

30 daysFrontier-model review window

4Names in the reported mix

71%Prefer required testing

Oversight Pressure

A May poll of Republican voters showed a clear preference for independent AI security checks.

71%Required tests

17%Company tests

12%No standard

Policy Path

ReportsBessent floated for czar

→

ClarificationTrump retains authority

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NextMandate, liability, China channel

Why supporters see fit

AI policy now touches banks, trade, sanctions and national-security diplomacy, all areas where Treasury is already in the room.

Why skeptics hesitate

The job's powers are undefined, and technical governance may need more than another title on an already crowded portfolio.

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