Public Policy Solutions Co-Founder and President Joe Grogan’s latest op-ed, “Big AI subsidizes the Left—then begs Trump for protection,” warns Republicans against giving special treatment to powerful AI companies that are using Washington to protect their market position while building influence on the political Left.
In his op-ed, Joe argues:
President Trump is right to view American leadership in artificial intelligence as a strategic priority. China is investing aggressively in AI, and the United States must remain the best place in the world to build, train, and deploy new technologies.
But supporting American innovation does not mean protecting today’s biggest AI companies from competition.
Companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic have raised legitimate concerns about the growth of cheaper Chinese AI models. At the same time, they have worked to shape regulations in ways that could make it harder for smaller competitors to succeed. Large companies can afford expensive and complicated compliance requirements. Startups often cannot.
Joe also highlights Anthropic’s $150 million Claude Corps initiative, which plans to place 1,000 fellows with nonprofit organizations across the country. While the program is promoted as a public benefit, much of that subsidized talent and technology is likely to strengthen institutions that already advance the Left’s political and cultural priorities.
America should take the Chinese AI threat seriously. But Washington should respond by encouraging more innovation, more energy production, and more competition—not by granting favors to a handful of well-connected companies.
Republicans should support American AI leadership without allowing Big AI to turn national-security concerns into a case for corporate protection.