Trump proposes U.S. ownership stake in AI giants, sparking debate

President Trump surprised tech CEOs by proposing the U.S. government take a small ownership stake in major AI companies, framing it as a way for the American people to share in the massive wealth creation of the AI revolution. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, "It almost becomes a partnership with the American public," adding that it would "make 'em rich." The idea, which he described as "beautiful," comes amid a broader push to make the government a reviewer, warfighter supplier, and now a possible shareholder in the AI industry.

The proposal reignited a debate sparked by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who this week suggested a one-time 50% tax on top AI companies, paid in stock, to give the public a direct ownership stake. Industry advocates favor a smaller give-up, floating a 1–5% stake for an AI public wealth fund. When asked about the unlikely alliance with a democratic socialist, Trump touted his economic populism, saying, "We have certain things that aren't that far apart." However, cognitive scientist Gary Marcus called the prospect a "seismic shift," warning that government ownership would poison trust globally, akin to how the U.S. distrusts Huawei. "After this meeting, everything is going to change," he wrote, cautioning that neither Washington nor Silicon Valley has thought through the implications.