The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board is reporting that OpenAI is considering a "Faustian bargain" with the U.S. government, which it described as "The Socialist Temptation of Sam Altman."
The board said the Supreme Court will not halt a Texas app-store law regarding parental consent in the smartphone age, while Ohio's similar law won on appeal. It also commented on President Donald J Trump's intervention in the World Cup, noting his phone call came after the tournament had fostered positive global views of the U.S. The board further highlighted that Iran's "most favored" nation for transiting the Strait of Hormuz is China, which it said would receive a "friends-and-family deal."
In other commentary, the board observed that Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices do not consistently adhere to originalist interpretations or vote in lockstep, challenging the idea of a monolithic conservative court. It also discussed the potential for artificial intelligence to improve government effectiveness, suggesting technology could help states deliver on promises.
The board expressed concern that uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), due to the Trump administration's failure to renew it in its current form, is detrimental to business and encourages lobbying. Separately, it warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin might perceive an opportunity to dismantle NATO, suggesting a minor incursion could undermine the alliance if it lacks the resolve to respond forcefully. The board also noted that Congress risks undermining a key Trump administration victory in deregulation, which it considers significant for small businesses, and reiterated its view that socialism continues to fail, citing mismanagement in a government-run health system.