Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, participated in an interview with "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on September 13, 2026, discussing a range of topics including artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, the upcoming midterm elections, and the issue of political polarization. Cox emphasized the need for the federal government to take a more active role in managing AI advancements, citing past incidents such as the Hugging Face controversy, where concerns arose about the risks of unregulated AI development. He expressed disappointment with the pace of congressional action on key issues and noted that his team had reached out to some Republican lawmakers to highlight the urgency of addressing these matters. Cox also addressed the impact of recent executive actions on the U.S. postal service, which could influence mail-in voting in Utah. In the June primary elections, 95% of Utah voters used mail-in ballots, and the governor stressed that the state has robust security measures in place to protect the integrity of vote-by-mail. He assured that Utah would be prepared for any potential Supreme Court rulings that could affect mail-in voting procedures. On the topic of inflation and affordability, Cox acknowledged the challenges faced by Utah residents, including high gas prices and a 3.4% inflation rate. He pointed to the need for reforms in permitting processes and infrastructure development to help address the housing affordability crisis. Cox noted that both major political parties agree on the importance of such reforms, highlighting a rare area of bipartisan consensus. When asked about a proposal by former President Donald Trump to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms, Cox raised concerns about the nation’s growing debt, which has surpassed 40 trillion dollars. He warned that such a proposal could have significant economic consequences and urged caution in making large financial commitments. In discussing political polarization, Cox referenced the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political figure, and the rise in political violence over the past decade. He criticized the divisive rhetoric used by both sides of the political spectrum and called for more constructive dialogue. Cox emphasized the importance of focusing on policy disagreements without resorting to personal attacks, stressing the need for a more united and respectful political discourse.