President Donald Trump abruptly called off an event where he was set to sign an executive order allowing the government to test advanced artificial intelligence models before they hit the market. His plans faltered when top CEOs from leading AI firms, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, declined to attend.

The White House had hoped for a high-profile show of support but faced pushback, with concerns that safety tests could delay model launches or necessitate changes that slow development progress. The cancellation comes amid growing industry lobbying against such regulations.

David Sacks, Trump’s former AI advisor, also played a role in the decision, as his government designation expired and he lobbied for a delay. However, Musk insisted he had no involvement, tweeting: “This is false” on X.

The administration’s initial approach to regulating AI has been hands-off since retaking office, but internal concerns over cybersecurity risks from new models have prompted recommendations for increased safety testing. The event's cancellation raises questions about the future of AI regulation and industry collaboration.