Trump says he will form an ‘AI Force’ and name an AI czar, while calling AI-safety fears a ‘hoax’

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Key facts

• ‘I am forming the AI Force, much like I did Space Force, which has been a tremendous SUCCESS, in my First Term’
• ‘I will be announcing, in the near future, the AI “Czar” — Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!’
• ‘We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry’; ‘BAD’ behavior to be handled by ‘our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System’
• No details on the AI Force’s role, budget or place in government (CNN/NBC)
• The previous AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, stepped down in March 2026 and chairs PCAST
• Semafor (Sept 22): Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emerging as frontrunner for czar; other names include OSTP Director Michael Kratsios and OPM Director Scott Kupor
• CBS News (Oct 1, three sources): Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton (ex-SEC chair, ex-US attorney for SDNY) is the likely pick and may keep his DNI post; White House: ‘Any reporting until then is baseless speculation.’ per an X post by Dareas Munhoz, Trump told a reporter leaving the Sept 29 summit that making Clayton czar was a ‘good idea’
• CNN (Oct 2, two sources): Trump is expected to pick Clayton, who would stay DNI, possibly announcing as early as that Friday via Truth Social; Axios, NBC and Reuters followed. A White House official: ‘Any personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President.’ No official announcement found as of Oct 3 evening