MAGA Targets Brian Mast Over AI Chips Regulation
Top MAGA influencers, including Laura Loomer and David Sacks, have initiated a public confrontation with a key GOP lawmaker concerning the regulation of AI chips sales to China.
Importance of the Legislation
Legislation proposed by House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has yet to leave committee. However, accusations are rapidly escalating.
“The AI Overwatch Act (H.R. 6875) may sound like a good idea, but when you examine it closely, it’s pro-China sabotage disguised as oversight,” Loomer stated on X. “Kill the bill,” she added.
Initial Hostilities
Sacks, who serves as the president’s top adviser on crypto and artificial intelligence, reignited tensions on Thursday night by retweeting a post that suggested Mast’s bill would undermine the president. “Correct,” Sacks posted on X.
Mast responded directly: “My job is not to be a yes-man to David Sacks or for [Nvidia CEO] Jensen Huang,” he told Axios. “I will give the president the most sound advice that I can.”
Industry Response
The spokesperson for Nvidia, John Rizzo, defended the bill, stating, “The Administration’s critics are unintentionally promoting the interests of foreign competitors on U.S. entity lists—America should always want its industry to compete for vetted and approved commercial business, supporting real jobs for real Americans.”
Expanding Conflict
The conflict appears to be extending beyond X. A close White House ally remarked, “Brian Mast appears to be positioning himself as Huawei’s Employee of the Month,” referencing the Chinese multinational that competes with Nvidia. The ally questioned whether Mast believes it’s wise to strip President Trump of his foreign policy powers.
Mast clarified his position, expressing his disdain for Huawei, dismissing their chips as inferior, and asserting that he stands against China.
Recent Developments
The ongoing GOP contention surrounding chips and AI surfaced prominently at a House hearing last week, where lawmakers scrutinized Trump’s plan to permit Nvidia to sell its second-most powerful chips to China. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) voiced concerns, stating, “They steal so much intellectual property from this country, but we don’t have to sell it to them.”
Divided Opinions
Regulations on AI have caused rifts within the Republican Party during Trump’s second term. Last year, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) advocated for a moratorium on state-level AI regulations, aiming to establish a federal “sandbox” that would allow AI companies to seek temporary rule relaxations. However, this amendment faced strong opposition from Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and was ultimately removed from the budget bill by a vote of 99–1.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order to override state AI laws, yet many states are threatening legal action to block its implementation.
Conclusion
Mast is preparing for a protracted battle, stating, “The industry is going to do their best to intimidate. They don’t want anything to prevent them from selling chips to China.”
