Back
OpenAI offered Trump administration 5% equity stake, FT says

OpenAI offered Trump administration 5% equity stake, FT says

OpenAI has discussed granting a 5% stake to the U.S. government, a holding worth about $43 billion at its latest valuation, as part of a broader idea that could extend to other American AI firms.

TRUMP

Fact Check
The Financial Times originated the report, with a headline reading exactly 'OpenAI proposes handing Trump administration 5% stake.' Reuters independently reproduced and attributed this to the FT, confirming both the 5% figure and the suggestion that other American AI companies could follow suit. The claim's core assertions—the 5% government stake and potential extension to other US AI firms—are directly supported by both sources.
    Reference: 12
Summary

OpenAI has discussed giving a 5% stake to the U.S. government, the Financial Times reported, in a proposal that would value the holding at about $43 billion based on the company's estimated $852 billion valuation. Chief executive Sam Altman has presented the idea to President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a way to give Americans a direct share in gains from artificial intelligence and ease political pressure ahead of a planned IPO. The concept could extend beyond OpenAI, with Altman and other executives discussing a public vehicle into which leading U.S. AI developers would each contribute 5% of their equity, in a structure likened to the Alaska Permanent Fund. The wider list of companies discussed includes Anthropic, Alphabet through Google, Meta Platforms and other U.S. AI groups. The report also said OpenAI and Anthropic have faced U.S. reviews that slowed the rollout of new models, while some Republicans and Trump advisers want tighter rules for the sector. Altman has separately discussed AI ownership ideas with Senator Bernie Sanders, who has advocated for public ownership closer to 50% of major U.S. AI companies through a sovereign wealth fund.

Terms & Concepts
  • equity stake: An ownership share in a company, usually expressed as a percentage.
  • initial public offering: The process through which a private company seeks to list shares for public trading.
  • sovereign wealth fund: A state-owned investment fund that holds and manages assets on behalf of the public.