President Donald Trump has hinted at discussions with AI companies, including OpenAI, about striking deals that could benefit the American public. CNBC reported that the administration is considering an equity stake for the company, potentially to fund a 'Public Wealth Fund.' According to Bloomberg, CEO Sam Altman has been discussing this idea since early 2025.

This proposal aligns with Trump’s broader interest in government ownership of companies, as seen with Intel last year. On the left, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed a one-time tax on AI companies that would give the public a direct role in technology's future and ensure its benefits are shared widely.

However, not all agree. Former AI and crypto czar David Sacks warned it could accelerate corporate-government fusion. Meanwhile, former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo suggested this groundwork may lead to government bailouts of major tech companies like OpenAI.