President Donald Trump recently announced discussions with various AI companies aimed at creating deals where the American populace could directly benefit from the burgeoning success of artificial intelligence. While specific companies were not explicitly named by Trump, OpenAI has emerged as a prominent candidate in these conversations. Reports indicate that the Trump administration has been exploring the possibility of the government acquiring an equity stake in OpenAI.

A significant aspect of these discussions revolves around the potential use of such equity to establish a “Public Wealth Fund,” an idea previously put forth by OpenAI itself. As conceptualized by the AI company, the proceeds generated from this fund would be directly distributed to citizens. This mechanism is designed to enable a broader segment of the population to partake in the economic upside of AI-driven growth, regardless of their initial financial standing or access to investment capital.

Further corroborating these developments, President Trump, when questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One, affirmed that he has been engaging with AI executives about “concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.” This aligns with Bloomberg’s reporting, which suggests that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been advocating for the idea of government stakes in major AI corporations since early 2025. Such initiatives resonate with Trump’s historical interest in government ownership within the private sector, notably exemplified by the government’s 10% stake in the struggling chipmaker Intel last year.

The concept of public participation in AI’s wealth has also garnered attention from the political left. Senator Bernie Sanders, for instance, recently proposed a one-time, 50% tax on prominent AI companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI (a division of SpaceX). This tax, according to Sanders, would be levied in the form of stock. With many of these companies potentially going public in the near future, Sanders argues that such a tax would empower the public with a direct role in shaping the future trajectory of AI technology and would ensure that the vast wealth potentially generated by AI is utilized to enhance the lives of all citizens.

Reactions to these proposals have been varied. David Sacks, an investor and podcaster who formerly served as Trump’s AI and crypto czar, acknowledged the appeal of Sanders’ idea, noting its resonance “including with many on the right.” However, Sacks, now co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, cautioned that such measures could inadvertently “accelerate the corporate-government fusion we’re already sliding toward.” Concurrently, former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo speculated on social media that the foundational work for a government bailout of OpenAI might already be underway.