OpenAI proposes giving Trump administration a 5% stake to secure political backing
OpenAI has discussed giving a 5% stake worth nearly $50 billion to the US government to improve strained relations with the Trump administration.
The ChatGPT developer, valued at $852 billion, has floated the idea in early-stage talks with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to the Financial Times. The move aims to align financial interests and address growing political pushback over data centre construction, AI’s impact on jobs, and cybersecurity.
A public wealth fund for AI
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has argued that giving the public a financial stake is the best way to share the upside of AI. The proposal envisions each leading US developer (including Anthropic, Google, and Meta) allotting 5% of equity to a vehicle similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund, which invests state oil wealth and pays dividends. It is unclear if other labs would agree.
Partager des intérêts financiers serait le meilleur moyen de collaborer.
Political tensions mount
The environment for AI labs in Washington has grown hostile. In June, US authorities delayed the release of cutting-edge models from both OpenAI and Anthropic, citing security flaws. Some Republican lawmakers and Trump advisers favour much tighter regulation. The proposal follows months of Altman’s advocacy for a public wealth fund, which he began promoting in April.
It would be magnificent for the United States to take stakes in AI and make Americans partners in this revolution.
The Intel precedent
The tactic has a recent parallel: after publicly attacking Intel’s CEO, Trump threw his support behind the chipmaker once the government took a 10% stake. OpenAI’s discussions are described as “conceptual” and may require an act of Congress. The company is also preparing for a public listing, possibly next year, which could expand its ownership base.
- Altman begins advocating for a “public wealth fund” to capture AI growth and redistribute it.
- US authorities delay releases of OpenAI and Anthropic models, citing security flaws.
- OpenAI proposes a 5% government stake in early discussions with the Trump administration.
What comes next
Talks remain preliminary. OpenAI has not commented formally, and the White House has not responded to requests for comment. The proposal signals a broader effort by the AI industry to manage its relationship with an administration increasingly willing to use regulatory levers.
