How Sam Altman Becomes Trump’s New AI Bro — Replacing Elon Musk in the AI Power Play

TradingKey - Following Crypto Week, the AI Week is set to take center stage. All eyes and ears are now on President Donald Trump’s upcoming AI strategy announcement and Sam Altman’s keynote speech before the Federal Reserve’s July FOMC meeting. Market observers now believe that Altman has replaced Tesla's Musk as Trump’s top AI Buddy.

From mid-2024 — when Musk publicly supported Trump — to their very public split earlier this year, the political and commercial alliance between Trump and Musk lasted just over a year.

In its place, Sam Altman has risen to prominence in Trump’s AI vision, positioning himself as a key advisor and policy influencer.

At Trump’s inauguration in early February 2025, Altman was still seated in a side hall, while tech billionaires like Musk and Meta’s Zuckerberg were at the main stage in the Capitol Rotunda.

But just two weeks after the Trump-Musk split, Altman was already dining with top Trump donors, signaling a shift in political alliances.

Trump himself acknowledged Altman’s intelligence and openness to his AI views, saying, “Sam is a very brilliant man. I hope he is right about AI.”

Trump’s AI Plan to Be Revealed — and Altman Is on the Podium

According to July 17 media reports, Trump plans to announce a comprehensive AI development strategy next week — aiming to accelerate data center construction, tighten AI chip export controls, and boost U.S. competitiveness in global AI.

In addition, before the FOMC meeting later this month, Altman will deliver a keynote address to Fed governors — a sign of his growing influence in shaping national AI policy.

This marks a major shift from earlier in the year, when Musk was the dominant AI voice in Washington.

Why Altman Replaced Musk — WSJ’s Key Explanations

According to The Wall Street Journal, Sam Altman’s rise in Trump’s inner circle stems from four key strategic moves:

1. Altman Reached Out First — and Changed His Political Stance

Although Altman once openly criticized Trump — even comparing him to Hitler — he has since shifted course. After Trump’s 2024 election victory, he initiated multiple private meetings and phone calls with Trump to rebuild trust.

Earlier this month, Altman posted on X that he is no longer a Democrat, and will vote Republican in the next election.

2. Altman’s Infrastructure-Driven AI Strategy Aligns with MAGA

Altman has long argued that AI infrastructure determines national competitiveness — calling for massive investments in computing centers and energy grids.

This aligns with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) AI vision and is a core part of the government’s $500 billion “Stargate” project, led by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle.

Altman’s strong stance on U.S.-China AI competition also resonates with Trump’s tough-on-China trade policy.

3. Altman Built a MAGA-Friendly Network

Altman has actively expanded his political reach by hiring Jeff Miller, a powerful MAGA lobbyist and fundraiser, and Chris LaCivita, a senior advisor to Trump’s 2024 campaign — both of whom played a key role in introducing Altman to Trump’s political circle.

4. Musk’s Exit Created an Opening

Trump acknowledged that he is open to working with those who once criticized him — as long as they now support his agenda.