The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a direct equity investment in leading artificial intelligence companies, with OpenAI being the prime candidate for this move. President Trump confirmed on Friday that he is holding discussions with industry executives about models that would allow the American public to profit from the boom in this technology. According to CNBC, discussions revolve around agreements that would essentially make U.S. citizens partners in these corporations.
A portion of the equity could be used to fund the newly proposed Public Wealth Fund, which OpenAI is striving to establish. The company states that proceeds from this fund could be distributed directly to citizens. The goal is to enable the wider public to participate in AI-driven economic growth, regardless of their initial capital or assets. The idea of a government stake in key AI firms has been advocated by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman since early 2025.
“I've spoken to executives about concepts where portions of these companies could be given to the American public, essentially making them partners in these companies,” Donald Trump stated during a briefing aboard Air Force One.
This approach aligns with Trump's broader strategy of state ownership in private companies. For instance, last year, the administration acquired a ten percent stake in struggling chip manufacturer Intel. Now, however, the topic is gaining interest across the political spectrum. Senator Bernie Sanders this week proposed a one-time 50% tax for companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, payable in shares. Sanders argues that the public must have a direct role in shaping the future of this technology and a share in the trillion-dollar profits.
The proposal, however, also draws criticism, including from White House advisors. David Sacks, co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, warned against accelerating the merger between the corporate and state sectors, which he believes is already happening. Speculation is also circulating on social media that discussions about state equity entry may be de facto preparation for a future government bailout of OpenAI should it face financial difficulties.
Given the expected IPOs of OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI this year, the debate over a state stake is gaining urgency. According to proponents of this move, it would ensure that progress in artificial intelligence serves not only a narrow group of investors but also brings economic benefit to the entire population.