Trump's AI Order Sparks Political Divide Ahead of Midterm Elections
As the US midterms approach, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical issue for voters, with a stark political divide becoming increasingly apparent. In December, the Trump administration signed an executive order that significantly weakened states' ability to regulate AI by directing federal agencies to sue and withhold funds from states attempting to implement their own rules. This move has been widely seen as a direct favor to industry lobbyists seeking to avoid constraints on AI deployment, while undermining years of efforts by consumers, advocates, and industry associations concerned about AI's potential harms.
Voter Preferences Clash with Executive Actions
Despite overwhelming public support for AI regulation, Trump's order challenges the will of voters across both blue and red states. A May 2025 survey of likely voters nationwide found that more than 70% favored both state and federal regulators having a role in AI policy. Similarly, a December 2025 poll by Navigator Research showed a massive net +48% favorability for increased AI regulation. Even Congress was essentially unanimous in defeating a previous state AI regulation moratorium, highlighting a disconnect between Trump's actions and the preferences of both voters and his party's elected leaders.
Framing the Debate: Populism vs. Institutionalism
The debate around AI has often been cast in terms of humans versus machines, with concerns about job losses and ethical implications. However, a more politically salient frame is populism versus institutionalism. The Maga movement has realigned American party politics, with the Republican party embracing populism and the Democratic party defending traditional institutions. Trump's AI order shatters this frame by unabashedly serving economic elites at the expense of populist consumer protections, part of a broader courting process between Maga and big tech that sacrifices consumer interests.
Local Resistance and National Implications
Populist resistance to this government-big tech alignment is emerging locally, with communities in states like Maryland, Arizona, North Carolina, and Michigan vigorously opposing AI datacenters due to environmental and energy-affordability impacts. This opposition is politically diverse, involving both progressives and Trump-supporting voters, and could potentially translate into a national movement that divides the Maga coalition. While datacenters remain a relatively unpolarized issue nationally, with most voters having heard little about them, the rapid expansion of big tech AI spending—anticipated to reach nearly $700 billion in 2026—creates fertile ground for voter activation across party lines.
Political Leadership and Future Directions
Few political leaders have taken a strong stand on AI concerns. Within the Republican party, Florida governor Ron DeSantis is positioning himself as a chief AI skeptic. On the Democratic side, progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib have proposed moratoriums on AI datacenter construction, while Senator Amy Klobuchar has opposed Trump's order. Local legislators in Georgia have also passed such moratoriums. The issue extends beyond datacenters to include job losses, economic risks, democratic threats, and degradation of civic functions like journalism and education.
Conclusion: AI as a Political Imperative
The political salience of AI is growing in tandem with its financial investment and societal impact. There is a significant opportunity for candidates from either party to oppose AI-linked harms in the midterm elections. Political solutions must start with organizing and broadening engagement beyond local datacenter issues. Movement leaders and officials in states that have acted on AI regulation should mobilize against industry capture and corporate favoritism reflected in Trump's executive order. AI is no longer just a policy issue; it is a political one that demands voter accountability and decisive action.
