Trump announces $700M coal industry boost, says 'without massive energy, you can't win AI'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said the United States must maintain its energy dominance to stay competitive in critical industries such as artificial intelligence, arguing that abundant domestic energy production is essential for economic growth, technological leadership, and national security.

Trump made the remarks while announcing $700 million in funding aimed at strengthening America's coal industry.

Speaking about the country's energy future, the president emphasized that reliable and affordable power remains a key advantage for the United States as it competes with global rivals, particularly China.

Trump ties AI growth to energy dominance

Asked about the importance of maintaining leadership across energy sectors, including coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas, Trump pointed directly to the growing demands of artificial intelligence.

“Without it, you can’t win. As an example, AI is a big deal, whether we like it, not like it; it’s going to be amazing in many ways,” he said.

“I think for medical it’ll be amazing, but without massive amounts of energy, you can’t even play the game. And we’re leading China by a lot in AI; I was talking to President Xi about it.”

He then praised Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for the agency's fast turnaround times on permitting approvals.

“We only accept plans from great professionals, but we give them fast turnaround, and it’s been really amazing. I think the biggest thing we’ve done, Lee, is we let these geniuses with all this money build their own electric plant,” he added.

“We don’t take it from our grid; we let them build their own plant. They become a utility.”

The president said emerging technologies require enormous amounts of electricity and warned that countries unable to meet those energy demands risk falling behind.

He also highlighted America's current position in the AI race, saying the United States remains ahead of China in the rapidly expanding sector.

"And we're leading China by a lot in AI; I was talking to President Xi about it," Trump added.

“They’re building a plant, and at the same time they’re building electricity because if we didn’t do that, you couldn’t have anything ... and we’re letting that happen too with car plants and other plants, if they want to build their own electric,” he added, noting, “Excess energy they create will go back into the grid.”

Trump touts fast approvals for energy projects

Trump said businesses previously faced years of delays before receiving decisions from regulators, often only to see projects rejected after lengthy reviews. "Lee Zeldin's done so great because number one, fast approvals from professionals," Trump said.

“You’re not allowed to say coal within the Trump administration unless it’s preceded by the words, clean, beautiful. Complicates our life, but it’s good, right, Chris, wherever you may be? It is clean, beautiful. Got you back. I’ll tell you, it’s effective.”

Trump also highlighted a policy allowing major industrial and technology companies to construct their own power plants rather than relying solely on the national electrical grid.

“If you look at China, if you look at so many of the successful countries, they’re using coal.”

“If you look at some of the real great failure countries, they’re using wind. This keeps blowing, blowing, blowing, and puts you right out of business. Very expensive."

“Most expensive energy there is. So wind is not working very well. But they keep it going because people get subsidies by countries that are stupid.”

“As a result of the $700 million investment that I’m announcing today, we will protect 14 coal plants and 42 coal mines. It’s a tremendous number. And build two new coal plants and one massive new export terminal because we’re exporting coal.”

The president framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to lower energy costs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and maintain America's technological edge.