Trump Considers Involvement in OpenAI to Engage the Public

Trump and the Idea of Public Participation in AI

President Donald Trump recently discussed the possibility of the U.S. government taking stakes in artificial intelligence (AI) companies. During a conversation with journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned the idea of partnerships where the American public could directly benefit from the successes of AI.

Although Trump did not specifically name any companies, OpenAI has been identified by CNBC as a potential candidate for such an initiative. This approach could include the creation of a "Public Wealth Fund" proposed by OpenAI, with revenues redistributed to citizens, thereby allowing for broader participation in the benefits of AI growth.

Growing Interest in Government Ownership

Trump's interest in government participation in lucrative companies is not new. Last year, the government took a 10% stake in chipmaker Intel, which was struggling at the time. This approach aligns with discussions led by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who has been considering government participation in major AI companies since 2025.

Political and Economic Reactions

On the political side, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed a one-time 50% tax in shares for companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. According to Sanders, this measure would ensure that the massive profits potentially generated by AI are used to improve the lives of all, giving the public a direct role in the technological future.

David Sacks, a former advisor to Trump on AI and cryptocurrencies, expressed reservations about this idea, emphasizing that it could accelerate the merger between government and business. Sacks, now co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, warned about the implications of such a merger.

On social media, Dare Obasanjo, a former Microsoft employee, suggested that the groundwork for a potential government bailout of OpenAI is already being laid.