Trump Signals Policy Shift on Anthropic AI, Easing Tensions After Pentagon Blacklisting
In a significant development, former US President Donald Trump has indicated a notable shift in the government's stance toward the artificial intelligence company Anthropic. During a recent interview, Trump suggested that the company's AI models could still play a role in US government operations, despite earlier restrictions and his administration's previous hardline position.
From Blacklisting to Potential Agreement
Speaking in an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box, Trump revealed that discussions with Anthropic had taken place at the White House and that a potential agreement with the Department of War remains under consideration. This marks a substantial change from just over a month ago, when Trump directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's technology and labeled the company a national security risk.
"They came to the White House a few days ago, and we had some very good talks with them, and I think they're shaping up. They're very smart, and I think they can be of great use," Trump told CNBC, signaling a more conciliatory tone toward the AI firm.
Background of the Conflict
The tension between Anthropic and the US government escalated significantly in March when the Pentagon designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk, stating that its technology could pose a threat to US national security. This designation, historically reserved for foreign adversaries, made Anthropic the first American company to receive it and required defense contractors to certify that they do not use Claude AI models in their military work.
Following this designation, Trump directed all federal agencies to "IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology" in a Truth Social post, adding that his administration would "not do business with them again." This directive prompted Anthropic to file lawsuits against the Trump administration in San Francisco and Washington, DC, seeking to reverse its blacklisting. A US judge later temporarily blocked Trump's social media directive.
The Role of Mythos AI Model in Easing Tensions
Recent developments suggest that tensions between the two sides are easing, particularly after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with senior administration officials last week to discuss the company's new Mythos model. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attended the meeting, which a White House spokesperson described as "productive and constructive."
Earlier this month, Anthropic announced the Mythos AI model and limited its rollout to a small group of companies due to its advanced cybersecurity capabilities. The company confirmed it has been engaged in "ongoing discussions" with US government officials about the model.
The launch of Mythos followed the peak of Anthropic's dispute with the Pentagon, but it appears to have created an opportunity for the company to re-engage with the administration. For instance, Amodei joined a call with Bessent and Vice President JD Vance earlier this month to discuss AI cyber readiness, along with other major tech CEOs.
Historical Context and Contract Disputes
Founded in 2021, the AI startup signed a substantial $200 million contract with the Pentagon in July last year. However, discussions over deploying Claude on the DoW's GenAI.mil platform broke down in September 2025. The fundamental disagreement centered on the Pentagon seeking broad access to Anthropic's models for all lawful uses, while Anthropic wanted guarantees that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance. Since then, the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement.
The current shift in tone from the Trump administration suggests that both parties may be finding common ground, potentially paving the way for renewed collaboration between the US government and one of the country's leading AI companies.
