Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence, stunned many in the tech world by crediting President Donald Trump, not himself or Big Tech, for “saving” America’s AI industry.
Huang credits Trump’s aggressive push to restore American energy dominance.
In a wide-ranging conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan, Huang made it clear that without Trump’s first-day energy agenda, the AI revolution would have stalled.
Huang: “It… saved the AI industry.”
Discussing the massive energy requirements behind modern AI, Huang told Rogan:
“The fact that he came into office and the first thing that he said was: drill, baby, drill.
“His point is we need energy growth. …
“Without energy growth, we can have no industrial growth.
“And that was it, saved it, saved the AI industry.”
He added:
“I gotta tell you flat out, if not for his pro-growth energy policy, we would not be able to build factories for AI.”
On night one of his presidency, Trump declared a National Energy Emergency, emphasizing that:
“An affordable and reliable domestic supply of energy is a fundamental requirement for the national and economic security of any nation.”
Energy: The “Bottleneck” for Artificial Intelligence
While Huang believes AI will eventually use “minuscule” amounts of energy per person, he underscored that today, energy access is the single biggest constraint.
“Energy is the bottleneck,” he explained.
Wall Street agrees.
Goldman Sachs estimates power demand from data centers, driven overwhelmingly by AI, could surge 160% by decade’s end.
President Trump has spoken openly about the scale of the challenge, recalling a briefing on how much power the AI sector will require:
“You got to be kidding.
“Double what we produce right now for everything.”
Trump Reversed Biden Regulations
To meet soaring energy demand, Trump signed “Unleashing American Energy,” a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to expand exploration and production on federal lands and waters.
It also mandates a review, and rescission where necessary, of rules that burden domestic energy development, with specific attention to oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical minerals, and nuclear energy.
Trump’s order also froze Biden-era subsidies and funding for many “green” initiatives that distorted the energy market.
Nvidia Opposed Biden’s AI Diffusion Rule, Applauded Trump for Killing It
Five days before leaving office, former President Joe Biden’s autopen imposed the AI Diffusion Rule, adding heavy compliance and export requirements to advanced AI technologies.
Nvidia blasted the move, warning it would cripple U.S. competitiveness.
In a statement to Seeking Alpha, Nvidia’s vice president of government affairs said:
“This last-minute Biden administration policy would be a legacy that will be criticized by U.S. industry and the global community.
“We would encourage President Biden to not preempt incoming President Trump by enacting a policy that will only harm the U.S. economy, set America back.
“And play into the hands of U.S. adversaries.”
The rule, scheduled to take effect May 15, 2025, was rescinded just two months later by the Bureau of Industry and Security, which concluded the regulation would have stifled American innovation through crushing compliance costs.
Huang: Trump Is a Better Listener Than People Think
Huang also said his personal interactions with President Trump defied media caricatures:
“The one-on-one President Trump is very different.
“He surprised me,” the tech CEO noted.
“First of all, he’s an incredibly good listener.
“Almost everything I’ve ever said to him he’s remembered.”
A President Positioned for America’s AI Future
Huang’s comments reinforce what business leaders and energy experts have said throughout Trump’s second term: America cannot win the AI race, or protect its economic and national security, without abundant, reliable, domestically produced energy.
And Trump is the only modern American president who moved decisively to restore it.
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