Trump mulls U.S. equity stake in OpenAI for public AI fund

President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he has spoken with AI executives about deals that would allow the American public to directly benefit from AI growth. While he didn't name specific companies, CNBC reported that the Trump administration is actively discussing an equity stake in OpenAI. Under the proposal, some of that stake could be used to seed a Public Wealth Fund, an idea recently proposed by OpenAI. The fund would distribute proceeds directly to citizens, letting more people share in AI-driven economic gains regardless of their starting wealth. Bloomberg confirmed that when asked about the concept aboard Air Force One, Trump said he's been exploring '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 advocating for a government ownership stake in major AI firms since early 2025, aligning with Trump's broader interest in government equity—most notably a 10% stake in Intel last year.

The idea has also gained traction on the political left. Senator Bernie Sanders proposed a one-time 50% tax on AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI payable in stock, arguing it would give the public 'a direct role in determining the future of this technology' and ensure AI-generated trillions improve lives for all. David Sacks, Trump's former AI and crypto czar now co-chairing the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, said he understands why the idea resonates 'including with many on the right' but warned it could 'accelerate the corporate-government fusion we're already sliding toward.' Meanwhile, former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo speculated online that 'the groundwork is already being laid for a government bailout of OpenAI,' suggesting potential financial risks. The discussions mark a significant shift in U.S. AI policy, blending public ownership with private sector growth.