possible government – OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the White House are in talks about a possible U.S. government stake in the AI startup, including the idea that OpenAI could donate equity to seed a sovereign-style “Public Wealth Fund.” The discussions have been underway for more than
On a plane ride that usually turns politics into soundbites, President Donald Trump brought up a deal idea that would reshape how the U.S. holds on to the upside of artificial intelligence.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Friday, Trump said there are “concepts where pieces could be given to the American public,” where “the American public essentially becomes a partner.” He added that he is meeting with AI companies “in the very short, very near future.”
Behind the scenes. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the White House have been talking about a possible government stake in the artificial intelligence company. The discussions have been in progress for more than a year—Altman first shared the idea with the Trump administration in 2025. according to a source familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the details are confidential.
Those talks continued this week as Altman met with a range of lawmakers and officials in Washington about regulation and the latest developments in AI.
The proposal being explored centers on what the government would actually hold. As part of the potential agreement, OpenAI could donate equity to the U.S. government to seed something like the “Public Wealth Fund” that the company outlined in its April policy proposal. In that proposal. OpenAI said the fund could “invest in diversified. long-term assets. ” and would enable citizens to participate in the “upside” of AI growth—possibly by receiving returns directly. No official investment terms have been decided, and the details are still subject to change.
The White House is not approaching AI ownership in a vacuum. In February, Trump signed an executive order calling for the federal government to establish a sovereign wealth fund. During his second term. the Trump administration has also taken stakes in companies including Intel and International Business Machines. as well as other quantum and critical mineral companies.
The idea is drawing sharp political attention. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told CNBC that he and Altman discussed the concept of a sovereign wealth fund during their meeting on Wednesday.
OpenAI’s position in the talks is also bolstered by what the company has already become in the private market. The company is valued at more than $850 billion by private investors. and it is gearing up for an initial public offering as soon as this year. OpenAI closed a record-breaking funding round in March that was co-led by MGX. which is backed by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund.
That parallel—between the growing role of sovereign wealth funds globally and the White House’s push for a U.S.-backed structure tied to AI—runs through the timing of Trump’s broader moves. On Friday. Trump signed a directive instructing the federal national security organizations to “accelerate AI adoption to meet surging demand” and to rapidly onboard the “most advanced AI models from multiple vendors.”.
The directive landed just days after Trump signed an executive order asking AI companies to voluntarily provide the government access to their models for up to 30 days before their release. That order is thin on specific details. but executives from leading AI companies. including Altman. voiced their support on social media.
Altman wrote in a post on X: “The U.S. should lead on AI by continuing to develop the very best models, making sure they’re safe, and getting cyber tools into the hands of trusted defenders. The new EO gets the balance right.”
The sequence of moves—regulatory pressure. demands for access before releases. and now discussions over a government stake—puts a clear spotlight on one question: when AI’s future value is created. who gets to own the upside?. For now, the answer is still being negotiated. Official investment terms have not been decided. and the details remain subject to change as Altman continues meeting lawmakers and officials in Washington.
OpenAI Sam Altman Trump administration government stake sovereign wealth fund Public Wealth Fund AI regulation AI adoption White House IPO Air Force One
So the government owns part of OpenAI now? Great, can’t wait for it to get regulated to death.
I saw “Public Wealth Fund” and thought of our taxes going to some AI stock thing… but also maybe the public gets returns? Sounds kinda scammy or kinda genius, not sure.
Altman donating equity to the government like that makes sense? I mean, it says “citizens partner” but who are the citizens, like are they gonna send everyone a 1099 or something. Also the article got cut off so I’m guessing.
Honestly this is just Trump trying to monetize AI. Next they’ll say “here’s your share” and then it’ll be controlled by donors anyway. And it says talks been going on for over a year, so it’s not even new, just PR while they meet with lawmakers. Public Wealth Fund… sounds like welfare for tech elites to me.