Trump Administration Considers Government Equity Position in OpenAI

President Donald Trump said Friday that he has been in discussions with artificial intelligence companies about arrangements that could allow Americans to benefit directly from the industry’s growth and success.

Although Trump did not identify any specific companies in his remarks, OpenAI is widely considered a likely candidate. The speculation follows a CNBC report stating that the Trump administration has been exploring the possibility of acquiring an equity stake in the AI company.

According to the report, part of that ownership could be used to help establish a proposed “Public Wealth Fund,” an idea OpenAI has previously outlined. Under the concept, proceeds generated by the fund could eventually be distributed to citizens, giving more people the opportunity to share in the financial gains from AI-driven economic growth, regardless of their existing wealth or access to investment.

Bloomberg reported that when journalists questioned Trump aboard Air Force One about the proposal, he said conversations had taken place with AI industry leaders regarding frameworks in which portions of companies could be made available to the public, effectively allowing Americans to become stakeholders in their success.

The publication also reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been discussing the possibility of government ownership stakes in major AI firms since early 2025.

The idea appears consistent with Trump’s broader openness toward government participation in private companies. Last year, for example, the federal government acquired a 10% stake in semiconductor manufacturer Intel as part of efforts to support the struggling chipmaker.

The concept has also drawn interest from some figures on the political left. Senator Bernie Sanders recently proposed a one-time 50% tax on companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, with the payment made in shares rather than cash.

With several AI companies potentially preparing for public listings, Sanders argued that such a measure would give the public a direct voice in the future of artificial intelligence while ensuring that the technology’s economic benefits are shared more broadly.

Not everyone supports the idea. Investor and podcast host David Sacks, who recently stepped down as Trump’s AI and cryptocurrency czar and now serves as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, said he understands why the proposal appeals to many people across the political spectrum. However, he warned that such policies could further blur the lines between government and corporate interests.

Meanwhile, former Microsoft executive Dare Obasanjo suggested on social media that discussions about government ownership may indicate the groundwork is being laid for a potential bailout of OpenAI.