The Wall Street Journal's opinion section published a column by Andy Kessler on July 6 titled "Different Parties, Same Folly," arguing that progressives and the MAGA/right converge on "the same bad ideas" across three areas: tariffs, executive power and artificial intelligence regulation.
Politics · AI Policy
Different Parties, Same Folly: Left and Right Converge on Owning AI
Opposite ends of the political spectrum are meeting on one idea — the government taking a direct equity stake in America's biggest AI companies, from board seats to a share of the profits.
50%
of major AI firms' equity transferred to government under the Sanders plan
$130B
combined Q1 2026 capex of Google, Amazon, Microsoft & Meta
+71%
year-over-year growth in that capex figure
Big Tech AI Capex Is Surging
Combined quarterly capital expenditure of Google, Amazon, Microsoft & Meta — up 71% year over year.
Two Camps, One Conclusion: Government in the Cap Table
Sen. Bernie Sanders
American A.I. Sovereign Wealth Fund Act
One-time transfer of 50% of equity — a tax paid in stock
Voting rights and board seats
Wealth directed into a sovereign wealth fund
President Donald Trump
Suggested public equity acquisition
Floated public stake in AI firms
Public shares in the wealth of the AI revolution
Framed as voluntary partnership; shape still in flux
Left
→
Direct government capital in Big AI
←
Right
The Critics' Warning
Free-market think tanks call it "the Trump-Sanders plan to nationalize AI."
The Cato Institute and Competitive Enterprise Institute warn that direct government equity amounts to effective nationalization of AI companies. Proposals remain in early stages — with no guarantee of legislation or deals — but the fight over how far government should reach into markets is set to intensify.
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