Gov. Ron DeSantis's AI "Bill of Rights" failed in Florida after President Trump made clear his opposition to state-level AI regulation. The legislation would have forced companies to disclose AI chatbot usage and banned the technology in mental health counseling. Florida House Republicans refused to take up the bill, aligning with Trump's pro-AI stance and executive orders protecting the tech industry.

The split reflects a growing divide within the Republican party nationally. While DeSantis and some conservatives worry about AI's potential to steal jobs and increase energy prices, Trump has positioned himself as a champion of unfettered AI development. This fracture challenges the party's Trump-era coalition, which includes both tech industry leaders and populists concerned about technology's harms.

Trump's influence extends beyond Florida, with the White House communicating to state legislators nationwide its wariness of AI regulation. The former president has tacitly acknowledged some concerns, calling for "minimably burdensome" federal guidelines focused on children's safety and transparency. DeSantis did achieve a separate bill regulating data center water and power usage, but the AI debate now moves to Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary, where Trump-endorsed candidate Byron Donalds supports building data centers.