The Trump administration has intensified its campaign against European censorship regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), while unveiling an AI plan focused on deregulation to prevent ideological bias. The State Department has been vocal in its criticisms, with recent posts on X highlighting the DSA’s impact on free speech. The DSA, adopted in 2022 by the EU, aims to regulate online platforms such as social networks and app stores to prevent illegal activities and disinformation. However, the Trump administration argues that it stifles innovation and free expression.
Darren Beattie, acting under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, noted that as the Trump administration rolls back censorship restrictions, Europe is intensifying its own censorship measures. The U.S. is not taking a ‘holier than thou’ stance, acknowledging that censorship has been present in the U.S. under the Biden administration. The Trump administration has faced criticism for its actions, including the shutdown of the Global Engagement Center, an Obama-era office accused of censorship.
The AI plan, unveiled in a major speech by President Trump, emphasizes the need for free speech while encouraging tech innovation through deregulation. The plan includes proposals to ensure AI systems are free from ideological bias and to repeal regulations that hinder AI development. Michael Kratsios, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasized the importance of avoiding Europe’s regulatory path, which he claims stifles innovation.
Vice President JD Vance has been a prominent figure in the administration’s criticism of Europe’s restrictions on AI and free speech, including the EU’s Digital Services Act. Vance argues that the U.S. innovators already face onerous international rules, and that the AI future will be won by building, not by hand-wringing about safety. His comments at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris drew criticism from both sides of the Atlantic.
The White House has also highlighted the potential financial benefits of the AI plan, stating that it will unleash the next ‘industrial revolution.’ The plan includes updating procurement guidelines to favor AI developers who ensure objective and impartial systems. Trump has signed executive orders to ban the federal government from procuring AI technology infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas.
The criticism of European censorship has sparked debates about free speech and the role of regulation in technology. While the Trump administration argues that European regulations stifle innovation, the EU maintains that its laws are necessary to combat harmful content and disinformation. The ongoing discourse highlights the growing tension between free speech and technological regulation in the global arena.