# Trump's Cold War Tool Expires in December

> Trump's 1950 Cold War law could stop AI threats before damage occurs.
- Title: Trump's Cold War Tool Expires in December · Fox News
- Summary: Trump's 1950 Cold War law could stop AI threats before damage occurs. President Trump's administration may use the Defense Production Act to force AI…
- Keywords: defense production act, ai security, trump administration, national security, frontier ai, executive order, ai regulation, cyber threats, news, politics, Trump's, Cold
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/powerful-cold-war-era-tool-trump-could-use-ai-emergency-set-expire-december
- Author: Morgan Phillips
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: defense production act, ai security, trump administration, national security, frontier ai, executive order, ai regulation, cyber threats, news, politics
## Cold War Tool
President Trump could use a 1950 Cold War-era law to address AI threats.
## Law's Purpose
The Defense Production Act originally mobilized industry during the Korean War.
## Current Use
Experts say the law could give the government power over AI companies if they pose national security risks.
## Legal Authorities
The law includes cyberattack, export, federal contracts and civil liability powers.
## Recent Urgency
AI companies warned this week about unsafe models and called for slower development.
## Trump's Stance
Trump claims the administration has 'tremendous criminal and regulatory power' over AI companies.
## Temporary Extension
Congress extended the law's powers until December 2026, avoiding an immediate reauthorization fight.
## Reporting Power
The law could require AI companies to report developments before causing damage.
## Legal Limits
The law focuses on government production needs, not stopping private companies from developing products.
## Potential Uses
Export controls, government contracts and criminal laws could apply to dangerous AI systems.
## Liability Challenges
Determining responsibility for autonomous AI damage is difficult and untested.
## What Next
Policymakers must apply existing laws to rapidly evolving AI technology.
## Key takeaway

President Trump's administration may use the Defense Production Act to force AI companies to report developments before they cause national security risks.