The Trump-aligned MAGA movement is grappling with a complex challenge as it seeks to promote American leadership in artificial intelligence while addressing growing fears about the technology’s potential impact on jobs, Axios reports.
As the movement embraces rapid AI advancement to compete with global powers like China, concerns are mounting that automation could threaten the livelihoods of millions of working-class and younger Americans — a core part of MAGA’s political base.
The Trump administration has publicly championed deregulation and investment in AI as key pillars of national competitiveness. However, behind the scenes, influential voices within the movement are raising alarms about the economic disruption AI could cause. This internal tension has sparked a deeper debate among MAGA leaders about how to advance AI without undermining the economic foundation of their supporters.
The debate intensified after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned in an interview with Axios that AI could eliminate up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs. His remarks quickly spread through conservative media circles, with prominent figures sounding the alarm.
“We have to get ahead of this,” said Steve Bannon on his “War Room” podcast. “Or we’re going to have mass unemployment, particularly among entry-level people under 30.”
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk echoed that sentiment, predicting AI-driven job displacement will become a top political issue by 2028.
Kirk later elaborated on social media, suggesting the economic risks posed by AI could shift the political landscape. He argued that white-collar jobs — often held by college-educated Democrats — are among the most vulnerable, in contrast to many blue-collar roles that have historically formed the MAGA base.
“Because of AI, the jobs of elites — and their children — are in grave danger,” he wrote.
Despite the concerns, Republican lawmakers and MAGA-aligned tech figures continue to view AI as an economic imperative. Popular right-wing media outlets, including The Daily Wire, have embraced AI tools to engage audiences more efficiently. A recent partnership between The Daily Wire and AI search engine Perplexity reflects how conservative media is integrating the technology into its operations. Similarly, Elon Musk’s Grok AI, available on his platform X, is gaining traction among Trump supporters.
The movement’s alignment with Silicon Valley has also influenced policy decisions. Last week, the House passed a major bill that included provisions blocking state-level enforcement of AI regulations for the next decade, in a move intended to create a unified national approach and reduce regulatory friction.
Still, MAGA policymakers remain sensitive to the risk of alienating their base. Vice President J.D. Vance, a key figure in shaping Republican AI policy, emphasized in a February speech that any advancement in AI must prioritize American workers.
“We believe AI should make our workers more productive,” he said, “and we expect that they will reap the rewards with higher wages, better benefits, and stronger communities.”
While the movement continues to champion AI as a path to economic and geopolitical strength, leading voices are calling for caution.
“This technology may have tremendous upside for man,” Bannon said. “But it’s got such unlimited dark side and downside that it has to be reviewed, thought through, until this thing spins out of control.”
