The White House has abruptly postponed a planned ceremony for President Trump to sign a new executive order on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, according to a note reviewed by Axios. Trump told reporters he postponed the event because he "didn't like certain aspects" of the order, signaling a fresh setback for an initiative already stalled by internal disagreements.
The delay underscores deep divisions within the administration over how to regulate AI without ceding ground to global competitors. Trump argued the US is "leading China" and "leading everybody" in AI, adding he does not want to "do anything that gets in the way of that lead."
Major technology, AI, and cybersecurity CEOs had been invited to attend the signing ceremony at the White House. The event has been rescheduled for a later date, though no specific timeline was provided.
Trump framed his reluctance in competitive terms, stating he believed the order "could have been a blocker" to US dominance. The postponement leaves the policy in limbo, with no clear indication of when—or if—a revised version will be presented.
Critics argue the delay may weaken America's cybersecurity posture, but supporters say it shows the White House is carefully weighing trade-offs between innovation and regulation.