How Trump Drove a Wedge Between Florida Republicans Over A.I.

March 16, 2026 - 22:00

A legislative effort to establish state-level regulations for artificial intelligence in Florida has collapsed, revealing a deep fissure within the state's Republican Party driven by the influence of former President Donald Trump. The bill, which had the backing of Governor Ron DeSantis, sought to address concerns around A.I.-generated impersonations and deepfakes, particularly in political advertising.

The proposal's momentum halted abruptly after President Trump communicated his firm opposition to such state-led regulatory measures. In private discussions and through allies, Trump made it clear he believes artificial intelligence development should not be restrained by state governments, framing it as an issue of national innovation and competitiveness.

This intervention created an immediate and insurmountable divide among Florida Republicans, forcing lawmakers to choose between aligning with the sitting governor's policy initiative or heeding the preferences of the party's national standard-bearer. The result was a swift erosion of support for the bill, leaving it to die without a vote as the legislative session concluded.

The episode underscores Trump's continued dominance over the party's policy agenda, even in matters of emerging technology. It also leaves Florida, a state with a significant tech sector, without any specific legal framework to address the rapidly evolving challenges and ethical questions posed by artificial intelligence, effectively punting the issue to the federal level.