AI Regulation Sparks Rift Within MAGA Camp Over Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
Washington, D.C., September 14, 2025 — A significant divide has emerged within the MAGA faction over a controversial provision regarding artificial intelligence (AI) included in what is known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a major legislative effort spearheaded by former President Donald Trump and his congressional allies.
The bill contains a provision that would preempt states from enacting their own AI regulations for a decade, effectively centralizing AI oversight at the federal level and giving the technology sector wide latitude. Supporters argue this approach is critical to avoid a patchwork of differing state laws and to maintain a competitive edge against China in the global AI race.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a vocal proponent, likened the provision to a “light touch” regulatory framework reminiscent of the Clinton administration’s handling of the internet in the 1990s, emphasizing the need for an innovation-friendly environment.
However, this stance has triggered pushback from prominent MAGA figures, most notably Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who expressed frustration upon discovering the AI regulation ban post-vote. Greene described the measure as potentially dangerous and a violation of state rights, warning about the unknown AI capabilities over the next decade.
In a series of posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Greene vowed to oppose the bill unless the AI language is removed. Her opposition has found resonance with other Republican senators, including Josh Hawley (MO) and Marsha Blackburn (TN), who are exploring alliances with Democrats to amend or strike this provision from the bill.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether the Senate will act to remove the controversial language, with anticipation high that any decision will occur close to the final passage of the bill, which GOP leaders hope to conclude by July 4.
The discord highlights broader tensions within the MAGA movement, weighed between fostering technological leadership and safeguarding state sovereignty and public oversight.
Background: Project 2025 and Its Broader Political Context
This legislative conflict unfolds amid the backdrop of Project 2025, a political initiative supported by the Heritage Foundation aimed at reshaping federal governance to drastically enhance presidential control. The project, closely associated with Trump’s returned administration, advocates sweeping changes including a reduction in independent agency powers and centralized executive authority.
Critics characterize Project 2025 as an authoritarian blueprint that threatens the separation of powers and civil liberties, whereas supporters argue it is essential for eliminating inefficient liberal bureaucracy.
The AI provision in the Big Beautiful Bill fits within this broader agenda by prioritizing federal-level regulatory uniformity, seen by supporters as a necessity for national competitiveness but viewed by detractors within Trump’s circle as an overreach undermining states and democratic safeguards.
Implications for AI Regulation and the GOP
The split over AI oversight signifies a critical juncture for the GOP. With AI’s economic and societal impact rising rapidly, balancing innovation incentives and risk mitigation becomes a complex challenge.
The MAGA faction’s fracture serves as a microcosm of larger debates: how to integrate fast-evolving technologies into governance while respecting constitutional structures and public safety concerns.
As the bill proceeds through Congress, its fate and specific provisions will likely continue to be a litmus test for the coalition’s cohesion and political strategy going forward.
Reporting by Perplexity News Desk.