WASHINGTON D.C. — OpenAI is negotiating to grant the Trump administration a 5% equity stake in the company. This proposal would require other U.S. artificial intelligence companies to cede similar equity stakes to the government.

President Donald Trump stated last month that he planned to meet with senior AI industry executives to discuss giving the public a stake in their companies. He also said that the White House was evaluating various collaboration options with AI firms to allow the government to benefit from industry growth.

A 5% stake in OpenAI would have an approximate value of US$42.6 billion. The company was valued at US$852 billion in a funding round in March 2026. OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman stated that the agreement would allow the public to participate in the economic benefits of AI.

Why It Matters

This negotiation represents an effort by the U.S. government to secure a direct financial interest in the artificial intelligence sector. The proposed equity stake, valued at billions of dollars based on OpenAI's recent funding round, aligns with the administration's stated goal of enabling public participation in the economic benefits generated by AI companies. The requirement for other U.S. AI firms to provide similar equity stakes would broaden the government's involvement across the industry.