Trump Says He Is the AI Safety Net, as Borrowing Costs Hit 5%
President Donald Trump said on September 14, 2026, that the only protections needed for artificial intelligence are a "STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!)" president.
He said it on Monday while defending his approach to AI. In a social media post that day, he rejected worries about slowing AI growth and said AI does not need guardrails. His comments answered calls for rules from tech leaders such as Anthropic's Dario. PBS
The Hill reported the Monday comments in live coverage and quoted the "STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!)" line. The Hill NBC News also reported the social media post in its live blog that day. NBC News
The comments build on policy steps from the past year. In June 2026, Trump signed a directive on AI in national security to support American AI ideas and improve cybersecurity. White House Days earlier, an action titled Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security said U.S. policy is to support AI ideas and safety by working with private business. White House
Earlier White House papers add background. In July 2025, the White House published 'Wide Acclaim for President Trump's Visionary AI Action Plan,' about steps to win the world AI race by producing more U.S. energy. A later paper, 'Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,' says U.S. leadership in AI will support national and economic safety and strength. The White House priorities page says Trump locked in the U.S. spot as world leader in artificial intelligence, bringing in over $2.7 trillion in tech and AI money.
Borrowing costs jumped the same day. Think of the 10-year Treasury yield as the interest rate on a 10-year government loan. It hit 5% on Monday, September 14, 2026, for the first time since 2023, as traders waited for a Federal Reserve decision that week. CNBC CNN also reported the 5% number on Monday. CNN
That 5% followed a steady climb. The rate hit 4.5% in May 2026 before hitting 5% in September 2026. On September 2, 2026, it hit 4.818%, its highest since November 2023.
Oil also moved. On September 13, 2026, Reuters reported oil prices rose over 2% after strikes on a Saudi pipeline and ships in the Middle East. Reuters For comparison, oil cost $78.04 per barrel on the Brent measure at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time on June 23, 2026.
The broader context here is two squeezes at once. The government is borrowing a lot, investors want extra pay to lend for a long time, and higher oil can push up shop prices. A 5% long rate makes mortgages and business loans cost more, even if the Fed leaves its own rate alone. When oil jumps on real supply damage, inflation fears jump with it.
Looking at what this means for your money, the AI plan shapes that growth. Washington wants light rules now and checks later, run mainly from the White House. For big tech firms building AI, that means less paperwork now. But it adds political risk. A president's order can start fast and can be undone fast.
In my view, energy is the link to watch. The July 2025 plan ties AI leadership to making more U.S. energy, and September showed why. Building AI takes huge power, like running many factories at once. If long rates stay near 5% and oil stays jumpy, data centers, power deals and chips cost more to fund. The administration bets teamwork with business and fewer rules will balance that out. On September 14, markets priced the higher costs first.
