Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) pushed back against former President Donald Trump’s recent comments labeling concerns about artificial intelligence as a "hoax." Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday, Tillis dismissed the former president's characterization, stating, "Come on, it’s not a hoax. It’s a real thing."

Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, noted that his professional background includes significant experience in the technology sector, which informs his perspective on the matter. While Trump has frequently used the term "hoax" to describe various political and social issues, Tillis’s comments represent a rare instance of a sitting Republican senator openly challenging the former president on the specific subject of AI safety and regulation.

There is no public record of a direct response from the Trump campaign to Tillis’s specific remarks at this time. The exchange highlights an ongoing tension within the Republican party regarding how to approach emerging technologies, with some members aligning with Trump’s skepticism of institutional warnings, while others, like Tillis, advocate for acknowledging the technical realities of AI development. The disagreement underscores the broader debate in Washington over whether AI poses an existential threat or if such concerns are being exaggerated for political or regulatory purposes.