OpenAI Proposes a $42.6B Equity Stake to the U.S. Government
In a significant move that could redefine the dynamics between Big Tech and Washington, OpenAI has suggested offering the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in the company. This stake is estimated to be worth approximately $42.6 billion, based on the AI behemoth’s $852 billion valuation from its record-breaking March 2026 funding round.
The proposal was reportedly presented directly to President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent by CEO Sam Altman. Altman argued that providing the public with a financial interest in OpenAI is an optimal way to distribute the benefits of artificial intelligence. The proposed setup envisions a sovereign wealth fund vehicle, modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund, which annually disburses dividends to state residents from oil revenues.
As part of the larger framework, other leading U.S. AI companies — including Anthropic, Google, and Meta — would be invited to contribute matching 5% equity stakes to the same government vehicle. However, none of these companies have confirmed their participation. The discussions are characterized as being in the early stages and “conceptual,” and the execution of any deal might necessitate an act of Congress.
This proposal emerges as Washington intensifies its control over frontier AI, with cybersecurity issues and competition from more affordable Chinese open-source models keeping policymakers vigilant. The Trump administration has already acquired equity stakes in chipmakers Intel, AMD, and Nvidia as part of its industrial AI policy.
Source: CNBC — OpenAI proposes U.S. government own 5% stake