President Trump confirmed Friday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not be the first AI czar for the so-called AI Force, despite earlier reports naming him a top contender.

The Washington Examiner reported Trump’s confirmation that Bessent will not lead the so-called AI Force as its first AI czar.

Trump appeared to address a Semafor report that had listed the Treasury secretary as a top contender for the new role.

Bessent’s title remains Treasury secretary. The Examiner’s account gave no absolute calendar date beyond Friday, no venue for the confirmation, and no verbatim quotation from the president.

It also gave no formal charter for the so-called AI Force and did not name anyone else for the first AI czar post.

Presidents pick their own teams. Speculative shortlists do not get a vote.