OpenAI in Talks With Trump Team Over Public Stake in AI Wealth

A growing debate over who should benefit from the artificial intelligence boom is bringing together unlikely allies, including President Donald Trump , Senator Bernie Sanders , and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman , amid discussions about giving Americans a direct stake in the industry's future.

The issue gained attention after Altman met Sanders this week in Washington. Sanders has proposed that the public hold a 50 per cent ownership stake in major AI companies through a Public Wealth Fund , arguing that the enormous gains from AI should be shared broadly rather than concentrated among a handful of firms and investors.

At the same time, reports indicate that senior Trump administration officials have held preliminary discussions with several major AI companies about the possibility of the federal government acquiring shares in their firms. The talks have reportedly focused on companies voluntarily ceding equity to the government, although people familiar with the matter cautioned that the discussions remain at an early stage and may never result in a deal.

Altman has reportedly been discussing the concept with Trump since early 2025 and revisited it with senior administration officials in recent weeks. The idea aligns with OpenAI's April proposal for a Public Wealth Fund , which would give every American citizen, including those without stock market investments, a stake in AI-driven economic growth . Returns generated by the fund would be distributed directly to citizens.

One model under discussion could resemble the administration's Trump Accounts programme, creating long-term savings vehicles through which Americans could benefit from AI-generated wealth. While OpenAI appears central to the discussions, reports indicate talks have involved multiple major AI companies. Anthropic is not currently part of the conversations.

Trump has publicly expressed interest in a partnership "where the American people can benefit from the success of AI" and is expected to meet AI executives at the White House. Sanders, meanwhile, argues that public ownership should be large enough to give citizens meaningful influence over decision-making and has criticised the growing political spending of AI companies.

The debate comes as public concerns over AI intensify. Communities across the United States are pushing back against data centre projects over electricity demand, water consumption and environmental impacts, while surveys show many students fear AI could threaten future employment opportunities.

Supporters say a public stake in AI could ensure Americans share in what many expect to be one of the largest wealth-creating technologies in history. Critics, however, warn that government ownership could create a "too-big-to-fail" status for leading AI firms, distort competition and increase political leverage over the industry.

The proposal has also raised questions about national security implications , governance and voting rights attached to government-held shares, and whether such a move could establish a precedent for government ownership stakes in other strategically important AI companies.