Poll finds 75% of Trump voters want AI regulation, complicating White House deregulation agenda

A POLITICO/Public First poll conducted April 11-14, 2026 (n=2,035, margin of error ±2.2pp) found that only 13% of Trump voters want no AI regulation, while about 75% want either strict regulations or broad government principles. Respondents were split on whether AI benefits outweigh risks (42% yes, 42% no). Non-MAGA Trump voters were more likely to fear AI job losses (51%) than MAGA voters (42%). A separate Institute for Family Studies survey of 6,200 Americans in 6 states found red-state Trump voters support candidates who would regulate AI. The results pose a significant obstacle to the White House's pro-industry federal AI framework ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, revealing a fundamental tension between the administration's deregulation push and its own voter base's demand for oversight.