Trump Defends US Dominance in AI, Crypto Citing National Security Concerns

US President Donald Trump recently defended his administration's focus on emerging technologies, specifically artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. He argued that global dominance in cryptocurrency is a matter of national security, stating 'the way I view crypto's a little different; we have to be at the top, otherwise China's going to take it over.'

In an interview with CNBC, Trump asserted that the US is leading substantially in AI over China and everybody else. He also claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the turnaround of the American economic engine during their meeting in mid-May.

The remarks coincide with a recent financial disclosure by the US Office of Government Ethics, which revealed Trump generated roughly $1.2 billion in earnings through cryptocurrency ventures in 2025. This includes securing nearly $550 million through the premier token sale of World Liberty Financial (WLF), a platform launched in September 2024 with full family backing.

When asked about his family's exact financial dealings, Trump replied 'no' but acknowledged he could have known more about it.