For makers and artists building the future of generative media, the conversation is shifting from pure innovation to ownership. President Donald Trump has indicated he is willing to negotiate deals where the American public shares in the financial upside of artificial intelligence. While he did not name specific firms during his recent remarks, OpenAI is widely considered a primary target for such an arrangement.
The proposal for shared wealth
According to reports from CNBC, the administration has been discussing an equity stake with OpenAI. A portion of this investment could seed a “Public Wealth Fund” proposed by the company. As outlined by OpenAI, proceeds from this fund “could be distributed directly to citizens, allowing more people to participate directly in the upside of AI-driven growth, regardless of their starting wealth or access to capital.”
When questioned on Air Force One, Trump explained that he has been speaking with executives about “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 broaching the idea of a government stake in major AI firms since early 2025.
A bipartisan trend toward state involvement
This approach mirrors Trump’s broader interest in government ownership of for-profit entities. Most notably, the administration previously secured a 10% stake in struggling chipmaker Intel last year.
The concept has also gained traction on the political left. Senator Bernie Sanders recently proposed a one-time, 50% tax on companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI (which is part of SpaceX). This levy would be paid in stock. With these businesses potentially going public this year, Sanders argued the tax would “give the public a direct role in determining the future of this technology” and “guarantee that the trillions of dollars potentially generated by A.I. are used to improve the lives of all of us.”
Criticism and speculation
David Sacks, an investor who recently stepped down as Trump’s AI and crypto czar, acknowledged the appeal of Sanders’ idea, noting it resonates with “many on the right.” However, he warned that such measures would “accelerate the corporate-government fusion we’re already sliding toward.”
Elsewhere on social media, former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo suggested, “The groundwork is already being laid for a government bailout of OpenAI.”
Key takeaways
- Trump’s administration is exploring equity stakes in AI firms like OpenAI to create a “Public Wealth Fund” for citizens.
- Both the administration and Senator Bernie Sanders are pushing for mechanisms that force the public to own a piece of the AI boom, though for different political reasons.
- Critics argue that state ownership or bailout-style taxes risk accelerating a dangerous fusion between government and corporate interests.
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