OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been in talks about public ownership with Donald Trump, according to the report. The ChatGPT developer is in early stage talks to give a 5% stake to the US government.
2 July 2026 | San Francisco, Washington — Updated 14:30 GMT
OpenAI is reportedly in early stage talks to give a 5% stake in the ChatGPT developer to the US government as artificial intelligence companies attempt to smooth relations with Donald Trump's administration.
The OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI, according to the Financial Times, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the discussions.
The proposal would also involve other US AI companies giving a similar stake to the government, the FT reported, although it is not clear yet whether companies such as Anthropic, Google and Meta would agree to the plan.
Such a deal would help improve the industry's relations with the Trump administration and could help garner political support by sharing wealth generated by the AI boom with the public.
The proposal comes amid growing pressure from Washington on US AI companies. Last month Anthropic suspended its newest model after the government ordered it to curtail access for foreign nationals, on national security grounds. This week it said it had restored customer access to the model after resolving the government's safety concerns.
Welcome to the new frontier of AI ownership — where the public could soon own a piece of the AI revolution.
🤖 AI OWNERSHIP — THE NUMBERS: 5% stake proposed • OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta considered • Public wealth fund model • Alaska Permanent Fund cited as example • OpenAI valuation estimated at $1tn+ • Anthropic preparing for IPO • Altman in talks with Trump, Lutnick, Bessent, Sanders • Sanders proposes 50% tax on AI company stock.
OpenAI in Early Talks to Give 5% Stake to US Government
OpenAI is reportedly in early stage talks to give a 5% stake in the ChatGPT developer to the US government as artificial intelligence companies attempt to smooth relations with Donald Trump's administration.
The OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI, according to the Financial Times, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the discussions.
— Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
The proposal would also involve other US AI companies giving a similar stake to the government, the FT reported, although it is not clear yet whether companies such as Anthropic, Google and Meta would agree to the plan.
Such a deal would help improve the industry's relations with the Trump administration and could help garner political support by sharing wealth generated by the AI boom with the public.
📊 PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
- Stake proposed: 5% of OpenAI to US government
- Other companies considered: Anthropic, Google, Meta
- Vehicle model: Alaska Permanent Fund (sovereign wealth fund)
- Purpose: Share AI-generated wealth with all Americans
- Status: "Conceptual" and early stage talks
- Implementation: Would require an act of Congress
Growing Pressure from Washington: Anthropic Suspended, OpenAI Proposes Stake
The proposal comes amid growing pressure from Washington on US AI companies. Last month Anthropic suspended its newest model after the government ordered it to curtail access for foreign nationals, on national security grounds. This week it said it had restored customer access to the model after resolving the government's safety concerns.
Altman and other OpenAI bosses have suggested that each of the biggest AI developers in the US should give 5% to their equity to an investment vehicle such as the Alaska Permanent Fund, a sovereign fund that invests US oil wealth into stocks and pays dividends to the state, the FT reported.
The talks are "conceptual" and in early stages, it said, and any deal could require an act of Congress to implement.
— OpenAI, in a policy paper on public wealth funds
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have previously suggested in policy papers that a public or sovereign wealth fund may be required in the future to distribute shares to the public.
In April, OpenAI said that a "public wealth fund" could provide "every citizen – including those not invested in financial markets – with a stake in AI-driven economic growth."
Altman in Talks with Trump, Lutnick, Bessent, and Sanders
OpenAI and Anthropic are preparing to list on the US stock market, in moves that some investors believe could value both companies at more than $1tn (£751bn).
Altman has been in talks about public ownership with Trump, as well as commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and treasury secretary Scott Bessent, according to the FT, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.
He has also reportedly spoken with the Democratic senator Bernie Sanders in recent weeks. The senator has been pushing for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund overseen by an independent commission and financed through a one-time 50% tax on the stock of the biggest AI companies.
🏛️ KEY PLAYERS IN THE TALKS
- Sam Altman: OpenAI CEO, leading the proposal
- Donald Trump: US President, involved in discussions
- Howard Lutnick: Commerce Secretary
- Scott Bessent: Treasury Secretary
- Bernie Sanders: Democratic Senator, proposing 50% tax on AI companies
- Anthropic: Fellow AI company, preparing for IPO
🤖 AI OWNERSHIP: THE NUMBERS THAT DEFINE THE PROPOSAL
📊 THE PROPOSAL
Stake to US government
Proposed by OpenAI
Estimated valuation
OpenAI & Anthropic
Sanders' proposed tax
On AI company stock
🏢 COMPANIES INVOLVED
Proposing 5% stake
ChatGPT developer
Considering IPO
Fable & Mythos
Potential participant
AI division
Potential participant
AI division
🗣️ KEY VOICES
Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO):
"Giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI."
OpenAI Policy Paper:
"A public wealth fund could provide every citizen with a stake in AI-driven economic growth."
Bernie Sanders (D-VT):
"A sovereign wealth fund overseen by an independent commission, financed through a one-time 50% tax on the stock of the biggest AI companies."
🏦 THE ALASKA PERMANENT FUND MODEL
🏛️ GOVERNMENT PRESSURE ON AI COMPANIES
📈 AI IPO RACE
IPO expected
Valued at $1tn+
IPO expected
Valued at $1tn+
IPO expected
AI competitor
🤖 THE FINAL VERDICT: A PUBLIC STAKE IN THE AI REVOLUTION
✅ WHAT THE PROPOSAL OFFERS:
- 5% stake in OpenAI for US government
- Public wealth fund for all Americans
- Improved relations with Trump administration
- Sharing AI-generated wealth with the public
- Model based on Alaska Permanent Fund
- Potential for other AI companies to participate
⚠️ WHAT REMAINS:
- Talks are "conceptual" and early stage
- Requires act of Congress to implement
- Google, Meta may not agree to participate
- Sanders proposes 50% tax alternative
- Government pressure on AI companies continues
- Anthropic still navigating export controls
"Giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI," Sam Altman told the Financial Times as OpenAI entered early stage talks to give a 5% stake to the US government. The proposal, modeled on the Alaska Permanent Fund, would create a public wealth fund to distribute AI-driven wealth to every American citizen. Altman has been in talks with Trump, Lutnick, Bessent, and Sanders. But the deal is still "conceptual" and would require an act of Congress. As Anthropic navigated export controls and OpenAI prepares for an IPO, the question remains: will the public get a stake in the AI revolution?
— AI Ownership Analysis
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