Trump is expected to name spy chief Jay Clayton as his AI czar, several outlets report, and the White House calls it speculation

NBC News reported on 2 October that President Trump is expected to name Jay Clayton, the Director of National Intelligence, as the White House's AI czar, citing a source familiar with the matter. Clayton would keep his intelligence post. Bloomberg reported the same day that Trump is set to name him, citing a person speaking on condition of anonymity before a formal announcement. CNN, Axios and AFP carried similar reports.

The White House did not confirm it. A White House official told NBC News: “Any personnel announcement will be announced directly by the President. Any reporting until then is baseless speculation.” As of about 3 AM Central on 3 October, no announcement by the President or the White House had been found.

Clayton chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission in Trump's first term. According to NBC, David Sacks served as special adviser for AI and crypto from January 2025 until March of this year and now co-chairs the President's science advisory council.

If it happens, the choice puts AI policy under the head of the intelligence agencies rather than a technology investor, in the same week the White House hosted AI chief executives and signed off a voluntary safety accord (run on 30 September). Until the President announces it, this stays reported.

• Reported Trump is expected to name Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as AI czar, keeping his DNI role. NBC News
• Reported Trump is set to name Clayton, according to a person speaking on condition of anonymity before a formal announcement. Bloomberg via The Spokesman-Review
• Claimed A White House official said any personnel announcement will come directly from the President and called the reporting baseless speculation. NBC News