Podcast Summary: What A Day – "Why Trump’s Got A Big AI Problem"

Host: Jane Coaston
Guest: Garrett De Vinck, Tech Reporter (Washington Post)
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "What A Day" digs into the political fault lines over artificial intelligence within the Republican Party, especially the Trump administration’s zeal to deregulate AI at the federal level amid a patchwork of state regulations. Host Jane Coaston talks with Garrett De Vinck about why Trump is so invested in AI, how it’s become a wedge issue, and the growing skepticism—or even outright hostility—from parts of his own base.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hype around AI and Divide within the GOP

• AI Is Everywhere: Coaston kickstarts the show by noting the omnipresence of AI, from writing emails to making employment decisions. The Trump administration has positioned itself as a champion of AI, in part to please well-heeled donors in the tech world ([00:19]-[01:13]).

• Elite vs. Populist Split: Despite Trump’s support for AI, populist Republicans like Senator Josh Hawley are vocally critical, seeing AI as a tool for elites to exploit workers ([01:56]).

  “They’re using AI to shorten the lifespans of working people by taking away their jobs, taking away their livelihoods, and they're turning around and using that same AI to try to make themselves immortal.” – Sen. Josh Hawley (quoted by Coaston at [01:56])

2. Trump’s Motivation: Tech Alliances and Legacy

• Transactional Politics: De Vinck explains that the tech industry cozied up to Trump through campaign donations, public partnerships, and announcements designed to flatter both parties. For Trump, this is about projecting himself as pro-innovation and pro-jobs ([02:48]-[03:55]).

  “He’s a very transactional president. There’s been this alliance now between the tech industry and, you know, Donald Trump that we’ve seen play out throughout his presidency.” – Garrett De Vinck ([03:32])

• Echoes of Crypto: Coaston draws parallels to Trump’s shift on cryptocurrency—initial skepticism turning to support after campaign donations—asking if AI is the same story ([03:55]-[04:12]).

  “It kind of reminds me a little bit of how Trump in 2021 was like, 'I don’t really know what crypto is, and it sounds kind of bullshit.' And then the crypto industry gave him a ton of money, and suddenly he’s like, 'I love crypto.'” - Jane Coaston ([03:55])

3. Federal vs. State AI Regulation

• No Federal Rules: De Vinck notes there’s been little movement at the federal level; Trump quickly scrapped Biden’s executive orders aimed at setting AI standards. The administration seems to want as little regulation as possible ([04:54]-[05:38]).

  “I won’t say that this government necessarily wants zero AI regulation, but they are not necessarily chomping at the bit to pass any regulation federally…” – Garrett De Vinck ([05:14])

• States Go Their Own Way: In this regulatory vacuum, states—red and blue—are enacting their own AI laws, ranging from transparency requirements in California to anti-discrimination rules in Texas ([05:45]-[06:40]).

  “Sort of in the absence of federal rulemaking…every single state has at least a bill regarding AI. Over half of states…have passed AI regulation.” – Garrett De Vinck ([05:45])

4. Rifts within the Republican Party

• Tension between Donor Class and MAGA Base: Coaston highlights the schism: mega-wealthy GOP donors love Trump for AI deregulation, while the grassroots base is skeptical—or even hostile ([06:40]-[07:19]).
• History of Tension Clear: De Vinck notes the rift traces back to earlier fights over issues like skilled immigration (H1B visas). AI, he says, is the sequel ([07:19]-[08:04]).
• Everyday AI Use: Coaston remarks on the shift: when AI became a practical tool for regular people, it stopped seeming like Silicon Valley hype ([08:04]-[08:27]).

5. Populist Concerns: Jobs, Kids, and Costs

• Job Security: The guest emphasizes growing anxiety that AI could replace people at work—regardless of whether it actually performs better ([08:27]).
• Youth & Harms: High-profile stories about teens harmed through chatbot interactions spark lawsuits and further skepticism ([08:27]-[09:25]).
• Affordability/Infrastructure: AI’s massive energy needs are leading to higher electricity prices, triggering voter complaints ([09:07]).

6. Trump Administration's Current Standing and Future Moves

• Doubling Down on Deregulation: Despite pushback, the administration is rumored to be prepping an executive order empowering the DOJ to sue states over AI laws ([09:33]-[10:58]).

  “…a new executive order that would essentially direct the Department of Justice to sue states that are…putting out AI legislation the federal government doesn’t like.” – Garrett De Vinck ([10:37])

• Awkward Optics: Trump’s cosiness with Big Tech stands in contrast to his previous rhetoric attacking Silicon Valley giants, confusing some supporters ([09:33]).
• Feedback Loops: Coaston and De Vinck speculate whether Trump, recently isolated from his base, might pivot if his supporters loudly object to his AI stance ([10:58]-[12:35]).

  “He is MAGA. What he decides, what he thinks is what the movement stands for. And…he’s actually had to step back after holding a very, very strong position for a very long time.” – Garrett De Vinck ([12:06])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Everybody wants AI because it’s the new internet, it’s the new everything. It’s one of the biggest things anyone’s ever seen. So everyone wants it.”
  – Donald Trump, as paraphrased/sampled, ([01:07])

• On the contradiction in Trump’s coalition:

  “I thought Google was the enemy. I thought Meta was the enemy. Why are you suddenly standing up next to them at the White House, you know, slapping them on the back and praising them?”
  – Garrett De Vinck ([10:09])

• On Trump’s relationship with the MAGA base:

  “Whether he leads the MAGA base or the MAGA base leads him…he is MAGA. What he decides, what he thinks is what the movement stands for.”
  – Garrett De Vinck ([12:06])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AI’s spread & elite interests: [00:19]-[01:13]
• GOP populist pushback (Josh Hawley quote): [01:56]
• Trump’s transactional politics & tech donors: [02:48]-[03:55]
• Crypto analogy & Trump’s shifting stances: [03:55]-[04:12]
• Federal AI regulation landscape: [04:54]-[05:38]
• State action on AI: [05:45]-[06:40]
• Party rift over AI: [06:40]-[07:19]
• Historical GOP divides—immigration analogy: [07:19]-[08:04]
• When AI became "real" for average people: [08:04]-[08:27]
• Populist fears: jobs, teens, and power costs: [08:27]-[09:25]
• White House deregulatory zeal, potential executive order: [09:33]-[10:58]
• Speculation on Trump’s potential pivot based on base feedback: [10:58]-[12:35]

Conclusion

"Why Trump’s Got A Big AI Problem" captures the internal strife within the GOP over the administration’s AI policy. The episode highlights the transactional relationship between Trump and tech elites, the absence of federal regulation, the proliferation of state laws, and the anxiety among conservative voters about the economic and social effects of AI. De Vinck and Coaston leave listeners with the possibility that, should Trump’s base revolt over AI (especially as he stumps for economic policy anew), even this most stubborn president might flip his position yet again.

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