Claude Hits #1 on US App Store After Trump's Anthropic Ban

An Unexpected Surge

On March 1, 2026, Anthropic's Claude app reached the #1 spot on the US App Store's free apps chart — just days after the Trump administration banned all federal agencies from using Anthropic's products. Being designated a "supply-chain risk" by the Pentagon paradoxically triggered a massive wave of consumer support for the company.

A Rapid Climb Through the Rankings

As recently as late January, Claude was outside the App Store's top 100. As the Pentagon dispute received widespread media coverage, Claude steadily climbed. By Wednesday of the final week of February, it sat at #6. By Thursday, it had reached #4. On Saturday March 1, it overtook ChatGPT to claim the top spot. Daily signups broke all-time records, and the app's free user base grew by more than 60% since January.

A Ban That Backfired

Social media was flooded with users announcing they were switching from ChatGPT to Claude in solidarity with Anthropic's stance. Many cited OpenAI's swift deal with the Pentagon as their reason for leaving. Industry observers have dubbed this the "ban effect" — a rare case where government sanctions elevated rather than damaged a company's consumer brand.

Challenges Ahead

The sudden traffic spike puts pressure on Anthropic's infrastructure as the company simultaneously navigates a legal battle over its supply-chain risk designation. Anthropic raised $30 billion at a $380 billion valuation in February 2026, providing a financial runway for both the legal fight and infrastructure expansion needed to serve its rapidly growing user base.

Source: CNBC | Startup News