CNN 5 Things One Thing: States Want to Write The Rules of AI. Trump Won’t Let Them.
Dec 14, 2025
President Trump's executive order aims to centralize AI regulations, stirring tensions with states asserting their rights. Utah's Senator Balderree reveals the state's plans for AI oversight while opposing federal restrictions. The discussion highlights bipartisan efforts in states like Florida to introduce protective measures for AI use. Amidst economic tensions and rapid AI advancements, the podcast also delves into the political ramifications for the upcoming midterms, revealing a schism within the MAGA movement.
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Federal Push Vs. State Experimentation
- President Trump's executive order would block states from enforcing their own AI rules and push for a single national framework.
- Utah Senator Heidi Balderree says this overrides state experimentation and targeted protections her state already passed.
Utah's Early, Targeted AI Laws
- Utah enacted several targeted AI rules on chatbots, deepfakes, disclosure, and mental health bots before this federal move.
- Senator Heidi Balderree says constituents support these measures and wants states to keep experimenting with guardrails.
Why The White House Wants One Rule
- The White House argues a national standard avoids a patchwork that would stifle innovation and complicate product launches.
- CNN AI correspondent Hadas Gold notes there is no clear federal framework yet, making executive action consequential and legally fraught.