Dario Amodei says he's sorry for the 'tone' he took in a leaked internal message criticizing the Trump administration

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has publicly apologized for a leaked internal communication that criticized the Trump administration's classification of the company as a supply chain risk. In a statement released on the company’s website, Amodei expressed regret for the tone of the message, stating, "It was a difficult day for the company, and I apologize for the tone of the post. It does not reflect my careful or considered views." He emphasized that the message, written six days prior, no longer accurately represents the current landscape. Amodei clarified that Anthropic did not leak the internal message nor did it encourage anyone else to do so. He highlighted the company’s primary focus on ensuring that national security personnel have access to critical tools during significant combat operations. Furthermore, he mentioned that Anthropic has engaged in "productive conversations" with the Defense Department regarding potential collaborations that align with their operational guidelines. However, Emil Michael, the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, refuted claims of ongoing negotiations with the AI firm in a post on X, indicating that the Pentagon had formally notified Anthropic that it is now considered a supply chain risk. This designation, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, effectively restricts companies with defense contracts from engaging in business with Anthropic. The conflict arose amid discussions about the usage of Anthropic's Claude models, with the company firmly stating its stance against allowing its technology to be utilized for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapon systems. Amodei indicated that Anthropic plans to contest the Pentagon's decision legally. In the leaked memo that reached the media, Amodei suggested that the Trump administration's opposition stemmed from a lack of financial contributions to the president's campaign, as well as a perceived absence of the kind of admiration shown by competitors. During a recent interview, Amodei reiterated his regret about the leaked message, noting that it was not intended as a formal document but rather a casual communication reflective of the company's culture.