Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Mythos model, is facing a far tougher time in President Donald Trump’s Washington than its rival OpenAI, according to the original story. The core issue: Anthropic decided not to play by the new rules of the administration.
What Happened with OpenAI and Anthropic
On the same day, two very different things happened. OpenAI announced it was withholding the wide release of its latest AI model, GPT-5.6, at the request of the U.S. government. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department told Anthropic that export controls on its powerful Mythos AI model would be relaxed, after a two-week period where the export ban forced Anthropic to disable the model for all users.
At first glance, it might seem like both companies are in a similar position. But the original story makes clear that nothing could be further from the truth. Anthropic has had a far rougher ride in Trump’s D.C. than OpenAI, or pretty much any other tech company.
Two Unprecedented Actions Against Anthropic
Twice now, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented actions that pose a potentially existential risk to the startup. The original story does not specify the exact nature of these actions beyond the export controls on Mythos, but it highlights that Anthropic’s decision not to follow the new rules has put it in a uniquely vulnerable position.
In contrast, OpenAI’s decision to comply with the government’s request to hold back GPT-5.6 appears to have kept the company in better standing. The difference, according to the story, comes down to a choice: Anthropic refused to play by the new rules of Trump’s Washington.
Our Take: A Warning for Tech Companies
This story is a clear signal to the tech industry. In our view, Anthropic’s experience shows that refusing to follow the government’s playbook can have serious consequences. The administration is willing to take aggressive actions — including export bans that can shut down a company’s core product — against firms that do not cooperate. For other AI labs and tech startups, the message is simple: comply with the new rules, or risk facing existential threats. Anthropic’s rougher ride is a direct result of its decision to stand apart, and it serves as a cautionary tale for the entire sector.
