Trump’s Roadblock to Anthropic’s Domination

The US Department of Defense(DoD) at Pentagon in July last year awarded contracts to several AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI worth $200 million for deploy their services for solving critical military operations.

Subsequently, the DoD used Anthropic’s Claude AI during the military coup on Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. However, Anthropic has objected to the usage of Claude for mass surveillance of US citizens and military targeting operations. Despite the company’s denial, Pentagon insisted on allowing access to their AI tools without many of the standard restrictions. 

As both Pentagon and Anthropic couldn’t reach an amicable solution over the ongoing dispute on usage of AI tools for sensitive military services, President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he is ordering every US government agency to immediately stop using technology from Anthropic. 

The Pentagon has put an ultimatum to Anthropic to agree to its demands or face serious consequences from the Trump administration. But, the start up company refused to budge and maintained its stand on the issue. Anthropic CEO argued that the company cannot cross ethical and technical boundaries for the sake of business. 

As the deadline closes in, Trump in a Truth Social post said there would be a six-month phase-out for agencies such as the Defense Department, which are using Anthropic’s products, at various levels.

Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth also responded on the latest development as he said on X that he was ordering the Pentagon to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security after the AI startup refused to comply with demands about the use of its technology.

Trump slammed the AI company in his aggressive style as he posted “The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY.”

“Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology,” added Trump.