Trump Administration Weighs Equity Stake in OpenAI

President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he has been in talks with AI companies about striking deals that would allow the American people to benefit from the success of AI. While Trump did not specify which companies he has spoken with, OpenAI appears to be a likely candidate, particularly after reports emerged that the Trump administration has been discussing an equity stake with the company. CNBC reported that some of the equity could be used to seed a 'Public Wealth Fund' proposed by OpenAI, which would distribute proceeds directly to citizens.

This would enable more people to participate in the upside of AI-driven growth, regardless of their starting wealth or access to capital. According to Bloomberg, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he has been discussing 'concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.' OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been exploring the idea of a government stake in major AI companies since early 2025. This approach aligns with Trump's broader interest in government ownership of for-profit companies, including a 10% stake in struggling chipmaker Intel last year.

Senator Bernie Sanders has also proposed a one-time, 50% tax on companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, which would give the public a direct role in determining the future of AI technology. The idea has garnered support on both sides of the aisle, but some critics, like investor David Sacks, have expressed concerns that it could accelerate the corporate-government fusion. Meanwhile, former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo suggested on social media that the groundwork is being laid for a government bailout of OpenAI.

As several AI companies prepare to go public this year, the debate around government involvement in the industry is likely to intensify. The Trump administration's potential equity stake in OpenAI raises questions about the role of government in the AI sector and how the benefits of AI-driven growth can be shared more widely among the American people.