President Donald Trump mentioned on Friday that he has spoken to AI companies about potential deals that could benefit the American public. While he did not name specific companies, OpenAI is seen as a likely candidate, following reports that the Trump administration has been discussing an equity stake with the AI firm. The administration’s interest aligns with OpenAI’s proposal for a 'Public Wealth Fund,' which could distribute proceeds directly to citizens. According to Bloomberg, when reporters asked Trump about the idea on Air Force One, he said he has been talking to AI executives about concepts where 'pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.' This idea echoes Trump’s broader interest in government ownership of for-profit companies, including a 10% stake in Intel last year.
The proposal has also gained support from some on the left, with Senator Bernie Sanders suggesting a one-time 50% tax on AI companies in the form of stock, which would allow the public to have a direct role in the technology’s future. David Sacks, a former Trump AI and crypto czar, acknowledged the appeal of Sanders’ idea but warned it could accelerate corporate-government fusion. Former Microsoft employee Dare Obasanjo also suggested the groundwork is being laid for a potential government bailout of OpenAI. Source: techcrunch
