President Trump announced Saturday he is creating an "AI Force" modeled on the Space Force and will soon name a new AI czar, doubling down on his push to accelerate artificial intelligence development with limited regulation.
Why it matters: The White House isn't backing down from its laissez-faire approach to AI, even as the industry's biggest leaders call for stronger safety rules and as public concern about AI intensifies.
Data: National Conference of State Legislatures; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals
States have enacted 128 bills targeting deepfakes, making AI-manipulated content the most legislated AI issue in the U.S., according to an Axios analysis of National Conference of State Legislatures data.
Why it matters: Deepfakes are among the AI issues that are easier for lawmakers to tackle, because existing laws around impersonation, deception and commercial rights provide a legal framework that can extend to AI.
The Department of Justice's statement of interest supporting OpenAI and Microsoft in the New York Times' copyright infringement lawsuit surprised critical agencies like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office, sources told Axios.
Why it matters: Statements of interest allow the government to declare an official position on a legal matter in private lawsuits. While not binding, they can hold significant weight and help persuade cases.
President Trump said Friday he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House "effective immediately," escalating his long-running battles with news organizations.
Early Saturday morning, Politico, CNN and MS NOW said their journalists were denied access to White House grounds.
Why it matters: Trump is seeking to use White House access against news outlets whose coverage he objects to, while threatening to target additional organizations.
Data: Axios research. Note: Some countries use a quota system for gasoline. Malaysia's figure reflects the unsubsidized market rate. Chart: Noah Bressner/Axios
The Iran war is driving fuel prices higher worldwide, leading to angry protests around the globe and straining the economies of countries that have nothing to do with the war.
Why it matters: It's not just driving up prices in the U.S. The war is causing problems around the world — in some cases far worse than anything Americans are experiencing.
Republicans scrambling for midterm momentum are making a massive bet on football, pouring millions into advertising during the country's biggest NFL and college games.
Why it matters: Across the country, Republicans are trying to hold onto male voters — football's core audience and a critical part of President Trump's 2024 coalition.
The Justice Department said Friday it will not criminally enforce a 1968 federal law barring licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to 18- to 20-year-olds, after its Office of Legal Counsel concluded the restriction violated the Second Amendment.
Why it matters: The Trump administration is telling federal prosecutors not to enforce a law passed by Congress, even though the Supreme Court has never ruled on its constitutionality.
All 50 states are in line to get "most favored nation" prices for certain Medicaid drugs under an arrangement projected to save state governments $27.6 billion, President Trump announced on Friday.
Why it matters: It's the latest extension of Trump's drug pricing deals with major manufacturers, which the president is touting as one of his signature health care accomplishments ahead of the midterm elections.
The U.S. Postal Service has slowed down mail deliveries so much it's failing to meet even its lowered performance targets, a new report from the Government Accountability Office found.
Why it matters: The Postal Service is part of the connective tissue of American life: delivering prescription drugs and ballots, carrying government notices and bills, helping businesses reach customers across the country.
Now its attempts to shore up its finances are disproportionately affecting rural communities.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is taking full advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling striking down limits on coordinated party spending, pumping $46.5 million into eight states, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Republican committees, which entered the campaign's final stretch with a financial edge over their Democratic counterparts, have aggressively embraced the new rules allowing parties to coordinate unlimited spending with their candidates.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a presumptive presidential candidate, is getting louder on AI, releasing an executive order amid the Washington stalemate.
Why it matters: Democrats with national profiles this week are seizing on AI alarm, making their positions clear and Newsom – despite some deference shown to other 2028 contender Kamala Harris – wasn't going to sit this one out.
The House Republican campaign arm raised $13.5 million in August, Axios has learned, widening its financial edge over Democrats heading into the final stretch of the midterms.
Why it matters: The National Republican Congressional Committee is entering the final weeks before Election Day with a $13 million cash advantage over its Democratic counterpart — the largest lead the committee has ever held at this point in the election cycle.
Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker thinks Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, is making a political "mistake" by distancing himself from Piker but also understands he has become a lightning rod in a tight election.
Why it matters: El-Sayed's past association with Piker has become a persistent and irritating issue for El-Sayed, who campaigned with the streamer during a contentious primary that he ultimately won.
House Republicans' top messenger has three pieces of advice for candidates trying to survive the midterms: Call Democrats "communists," don't gaslight voters on inflation — and trust your district if it tells you to deviate from President Trump.
Why it matters: Calling Democrats "socialists" isn't enough — at least according to House Republican Conference chair Lisa McClain.
Latino voters swung sharply toward Republicans in 2024. Now, much of that gain is fading as gender and generational divides widen.
Why it matters: The GOP breakthrough two years ago hasn't produced a uniformly more conservative Latino electorate, as Democrats have regained ground in polling this year.
But an Axios analysis of recent polls shows Latino voters aren't simply swinging right, then left. The data show Latino politics fragmenting from within, as young Latino men and women increasingly split over immigration, President Trump and democracy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent lawmakers home until after the midterms, but when they return, they'll quickly face a showdown over impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a renewed Epstein files fight and a looming government funding deadline.
Why it matters: None of these issues will be easy to resolve and could create a headache for the Trump administration in a lame-duck session after Election Day.
Foreign actors last month breached two small Colorado water utilities and manipulated equipment used to control drinking water systems.
Why it matters: The attacks come amid heightened concern about foreign actors infiltrating U.S. water systems — including recent attacks linked to actors suspected of ties to Iran.
Why it matters: Knowing how the government works, and which rights are protected by the Constitution, gives Americans basic civic knowledge to understand their rights.
The big picture: Answers about the disgraced financier and his web of wealthy connections have continued to haunt the administration, with Attorney General Todd Blanche now facing the threat of contempt proceedings over the Epstein files.
The Department of Health and Human Servicesis releasing a forecast of its demand for personal protective equipment, giving American manufacturers predictability and strengthening supply chains, the department first told Axios.
Why it matters: The COVID pandemic exposed America's dependence on other countries for manufactured goods like PPE and prescription drugs, and there's sustained interest in changing that.
Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker said he "absolutely" wants to campaign for New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if she runs for president in 2028 and said he has talked with AOC and her team, he said in the new episode of "The Axios Show."
Why it matters: Piker, who has millions of followers online, has been a high-profile campaign surrogate this year for a new generation of left-wing candidates, and wants to do the same in 2028.
A host of industry players, policy wonks and businesses are grappling with the question of how to regulate AI in a trustworthy manner.
Inside the White House, it's mostly business as usual.
Why it matters: The industry's mad dash is the product of an ad hoc regulatory apparatus and a general consensus that swift action from Washington is unlikely in the near term.
A federal judge warned Attorney General Todd Blanche Wednesday that he could face contempt proceedings if the Department of Justice fails to comply with an order involving the release or review of Epstein files.
Why it matters: The case could force the DOJ to release additional Epstein records or remove redactions that a court determines aren't permitted under the law.
