Majority of Americans disapprove of Trump's AI approach, UMass poll finds
New data shows a sharp divide over the president's deregulation stance as safety concerns grow.
A majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of artificial intelligence, according to a new poll from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The findings suggest a growing public disconnect regarding the governance of rapidly evolving AI technologies.
According to data reported by CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten, only 23% of respondents believe the president has handled the issue well, while 57% say he has handled it poorly. This leaves Trump with a net approval rating of -34 points on the issue, highlighting a significant portion of the electorate dissatisfied with the current administration's trajectory on AI oversight.
The Deregulation Debate
This disapproval arrives as a fundamental conflict emerges between government policy and safety advocates. President Trump has consistently pushed for fewer regulations, arguing that restrictive guardrails would hinder the U.S. ability to maintain a competitive edge over global rivals. "We’re leading China in AI... whoever wins AI, wins," Trump has stated, framing the technology as a geopolitical arms race.
While the administration prioritizes speed and dominance, other experts have sounded alarms. Jacob Coxon, a former employee at AI firm Anthropic, has warned of existential safety risks and called for a slowdown in development to ensure the technology remains controllable. Trump has dismissed these concerns on Truth Social, describing the push for AI guardrails as a "SICK conspiracy" against AI and data centers, claiming that only China benefits from such restrictions.
Political and Economic Stakes
As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the American economy and daily life, the governance of these systems is shifting from a technical debate to a central political issue. The president's insistence on a hands-off approach contrasts with growing public anxiety over the environmental impact of massive data centers and the potential for systemic safety failures.
For the administration, the deregulation stance is intended to foster innovation. However, the polling suggests this strategy may be alienating a broad segment of the population. The gap between the president's "win at all costs" rhetoric and the public's desire for safety measures creates a volatile political environment as the technology continues to scale.
Looking Ahead
Observers are now watching to see if this disapproval translates into broader political liability. While the UMass poll establishes a clear trend of dissatisfaction, it remains to be seen if the administration will pivot its messaging or double down on its competitive framework. The tension between national security interests and public safety demands will likely remain a primary flashpoint in the ongoing debate over AI regulation.