Trump says the administration once threatened the leader of a big AI company with jail time

President Donald Trump stated on an episode of 60 Minutes that his administration had once threatened the leader of a major AI company with jail time. The president said his team confronted the individual, asking if they favored the color orange, before warning the person they faced jail time and urged them to say goodbye to their families.

Trump did not disclose the identity of the individual or the company, but affirmed it was one of the leading AI firms. When asked by host Ross Douthat if it was a leader from a major AI company, Trump confirmed it was one of the "big ones." The White House and DOJ representatives declined to comment. Trump claimed the executive later changed their behavior following the warning, though he admitted it could have been malicious.

Trump's remarks were part of a discussion on the show about the potential risks of advanced AI and whether the US should regulate its development. He supported AI technology due to the competitive stakes with China and indicated he would be open to AI-safety measures, but emphasized the US should not fall behind China in the technology race.