Key Takeaways
- OpenAI has proposed granting the federal government a 5% ownership stake in the company
- Sam Altman has engaged in discussions with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Bessent
- The proposal may extend to other American AI companies, though participation remains uncertain
- This initiative aligns with Senator Bernie Sanders’ advocacy for public participation in AI-generated prosperity
- The federal government currently maintains equity positions in Intel, MP Materials, Lithium Americas, and Trilogy Metals
OpenAI has entered negotiations to provide the federal government with a 5% ownership position, according to a Financial Times report released Thursday. This strategic move represents the company’s effort to strengthen its relationship with the current administration.
Sam Altman, the company’s chief executive, has conducted meetings with prominent government figures, including President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Sources indicate Altman has also engaged in conversations with Senator Bernie Sanders regarding this initiative.
Reuters was unable to confirm the report independently. Neither OpenAI nor White House representatives provided comments when contacted.
Expanding AI Wealth Ownership Beyond Private Interests
The initiative extends well beyond OpenAI alone. Under this framework, additional American artificial intelligence companies might be requested to provide comparable 5% government stakes, although their willingness to participate remains undetermined.
This concept ties into larger discussions surrounding AI’s economic beneficiaries. Earlier this year in April, OpenAI put forward a proposal for establishing a public wealth fund designed to grant every American citizen ownership in AI-fueled economic expansion.
Sanders has championed legislative efforts supporting this vision. His American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act projects potential growth to approximately $7 trillion. He maintains that artificial intelligence’s financial benefits shouldn’t remain concentrated among a limited circle of technology executives.
Artificial intelligence enterprises face mounting examination from Washington lawmakers concerning data infrastructure development, workforce automation concerns, and national security vulnerabilities.
Federal Government’s History of Corporate Equity Positions
This wouldn’t mark the inaugural instance of the Trump administration securing ownership in a privately-held corporation.
During 2025, federal authorities obtained a 9.9% position in Intel through the acquisition of 433.3 million shares priced at $20.47 per share. The $8.9 billion transaction connected to CHIPS Act funding.
Given Intel’s current trading price around $127, that position now values at approximately $55 billion — representing roughly 6.2 times the initial capital deployed. Trump has publicly expressed regret over not negotiating for greater ownership.
The administration additionally maintains a 15% ownership position in rare earth materials company MP Materials, 10% stakes in both Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals, plus a “golden share” in U.S. Steel, which provides veto authority over significant corporate actions rather than standard equity ownership.
The OpenAI discussions remain preliminary. As of Thursday morning, neither OpenAI nor White House officials have provided formal confirmation of these negotiations.
