US government eyes equity in OpenAI via public wealth fund plan

Two parallel initiatives are exploring US government ownership in leading AI companies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has held discussions with the Trump administration about a novel “Public Wealth Fund” that would receive equity in OpenAI, potentially giving American taxpayers a direct stake in the company’s future profits and governance. The proposal, still in early stages, would see the government hold shares without immediate cash outlay, effectively turning national AI capabilities into a public asset.

Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the “American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act” in early June 2026, taking a more forceful approach. The bill would levy a one-time 50% tax on the stock of frontier AI companies—specifically naming OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI—with the payment made in equity rather than cash. That stock would then be managed as a sovereign wealth fund, giving the public voting rights and a share of future returns. The legislation aims to prevent private monopolies on transformative AI while generating long-term revenue for the federal budget. Together, these efforts signal a fundamental shift in how the US government views its role in the AI industry—from regulator to co-owner.