OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is reportedly in early-stage discussions to grant the Trump administration a 5% equity stake in the company, according to a Financial Times report. The proposal is part of a broader initiative involving other major US artificial intelligence firms potentially offering similar stakes to the government.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has argued that such an arrangement would allow the public to benefit financially from AI advancements. Based on OpenAI’s latest funding round, which valued the company at $852 billion, a 5% stake would be worth approximately $42.6 billion.
The move comes amid heightened government scrutiny of AI technologies, which are seen as both economically transformative and potentially disruptive to jobs and national security. President Donald Trump has previously indicated plans to meet with top AI executives to explore public stakes in their firms, similar to a sovereign wealth fund model like the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Notably, both OpenAI and rival Anthropic have faced government-imposed delays on releasing new models. Anthropic recently secured the lifting of export controls, while OpenAI was asked to limit the release of its GPT-5.6 model to approved partners.
Implementing a public stake might require congressional approval. It remains unclear whether other AI companies support the proposal. OpenAI has previously advocated for a “public wealth fund” to ensure citizens share in AI-driven economic growth.
