OpenAI has proposed handing the US government a 5% stake in the company at no cost, the Financial Times reported on July 2, 2026, in a holding worth about $42.6 billion.
July 2, 2026 · OpenAI
OpenAI Floats Giving the U.S. Government a 5% Stake
In early talks with the Trump administration, Sam Altman and executives proposed handing Washington a roughly $42.6 billion slice — routed through a state-owned "Public Wealth Fund" to spread AI's gains to citizens. No agreement has been reached.
5%
Proposed government stake
$42.6B
Value of that stake
The proposed stake, to scale
5% government share vs. the remaining company value — each block ≈ 5% of the $852B valuation.
The mechanism
A state-owned "Public Wealth Fund" — modeled on the Alaska Permanent Fund — would hold the stake and channel AI's gains to citizens.
Major AI firms each give ~5%
→
Public Wealth Fund
→
Gains shared with citizens
Supporters
Sensible national AI strategy
Shares AI's gains with the public
Aid for data centers, permits, energy
Skeptics
A de facto government bailout?
A way to avoid an IPO?
A trade for lighter regulation?
Where things stand: Talks are early and preliminary — no agreement, possible need for congressional approval, and no official OpenAI or Altman comment confirmed.
Continue reading The rest of this article is for AI News Blitz readers. Choose an option below to keep reading.
Already purchased? Sign in ✓ Signed in — this article isn’t included in your current plan.Unlocking the full article…