Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized leading AI companies for repeatedly asking the government to regulate their own industry, labeling the requests a potential “Trojan horse.” “I feel a little bit WEIRD about the fact that you have so many frontier AI tech companies coming to the government and begging the government to regulate them? It feels a little bit to me like a bit of a Trojan horse!” Vance said. He tied the issue directly to the intensifying global competition, noting that China is racing hard against the United States and that America must move smartly to stay ahead. The comments highlight growing skepticism toward industry-driven calls for heavy oversight.

Vance’s stance raises a straightforward challenge: if these companies truly believe their models pose serious risks, why not simply act with greater caution themselves instead of inviting sweeping rules? History shows that corporations pushing for major regulation often end up creating barriers that favor the largest players and stifle competition. With the AI race against China already underway, the exchange leaves open questions about whether self-restraint or government intervention will better protect innovation, and whether America can maintain its lead without locking in the very monopolies many fear.