Washington Eyes a Slice of OpenAI: Could the Public Become a Shareholder?

President Trump confirmed Friday that his administration has held talks with AI companies about structuring deals that would let the American public share in the industry's financial upside. While Trump didn't name names, CNBC reports that OpenAI is a prime candidate, with discussions already underway about the government taking an equity stake in the company.

A portion of that equity could seed a “Public Wealth Fund,” an idea OpenAI itself floated. The fund would distribute proceeds directly to citizens, ensuring broad participation in AI-driven economic gains regardless of personal wealth. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump described “concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.”

Bloomberg notes that CEO Sam Altman has been pitching a government stake in major AI firms since early 2025. The move aligns with Trump’s recent precedent: last year, the government took a 10% stake in struggling chipmaker Intel.

The concept has surprising bipartisan appeal. Senator Bernie Sanders proposed a one-time, 50% stock tax on companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI when they go public. He argues it would “give the public a direct role in determining the future of this technology” and channel trillions in potential AI profits back to society.

Not everyone is on board. Former Trump AI czar David Sacks warned the plan would “accelerate the corporate-government fusion we’re already sliding toward.” And ex-Microsoft engineer Dare Obasanjo sees it as groundwork for an OpenAI bailout.

For business leaders, the takeaway is clear: the relationship between AI giants and the federal government is shifting from regulation to partnership—with the public as a potential shareholder.