The White House canceled a planned signing ceremony for President Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on May 21, 2026. The event was scrapped just hours before it was scheduled to begin, leaving several tech CEOs who had been invited to attend stranded without a ceremony to show up for.

Trump himself cited personal objections to specific elements of the draft order as the reason for the delay.

What the executive order was supposed to do

The proposed order aimed to create a voluntary framework allowing the US government to review advanced AI models before they’re released to the public. The process was designed to foster collaboration between the federal government and the private sector. AI developers would submit their models to government reviewers, who would evaluate them before public deployment. The Office of the National Cyber Director was expected to play a central role in overseeing this framework.

The executive order was positioned as an evolution of the administration’s earlier deregulatory actions, framed around the idea that the US needs to maintain global leadership in AI development while also addressing cybersecurity risks.

A pattern of delays

This wasn’t the first time the administration has hit the brakes on AI policy. The postponement represents the latest in a series of delays related to AI policy discussions during the Trump administration. The order had been under discussion for several months, with prior briefings held with major AI firms that reportedly indicated a willingness to engage in the voluntary evaluation process.

No new date for the signing has been announced. The administration has not issued further details on when, or if, the ceremony will be rescheduled.