SouthernWorldwide.com – OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly exploring a significant move to offer a 5% stake in his company to the United States. This potential deal is contingent upon other major AI competitors agreeing to a similar provision, according to a Thursday report by the Financial Times.
Altman has allegedly held discussions with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The central theme of these meetings appears to be a plan to introduce a degree of public ownership for OpenAI.
Further adding to the complexity of these discussions, Altman has also met with Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders has previously advocated for widespread public ownership of AI companies, even suggesting that U.S. taxpayers could potentially own up to half of these entities.
The core of Altman’s reported belief is that granting the public partial ownership in AI companies is the most effective strategy for distributing the advantages of this rapidly expanding sector among the American populace.
However, Altman’s proposed commitment to ceding a portion of OpenAI’s ownership is not without its conditions. He reportedly expects AI rivals, including Meta, Google, and Anthropic, to reciprocate by contributing 5% of their respective companies to public ownership.
Anthropic, known for its AI model Claude, a competitor to ChatGPT, has recently strengthened its ties with the White House and President Trump. The company had previously experienced a cooling of relations with the executive branch but has since been removed from a Pentagon blacklist concerning supply chain risks and is now actively engaging with government officials.
This strategic move by Altman is seen as an attempt to avoid the challenges faced by Anthropic and to cultivate a positive relationship with Trump. By offering a stake in OpenAI, Altman aims to position his company as a contributor to America’s growing portfolio of corporate assets.
The Financial Times report references a precedent set by the U.S. government’s acquisition of a 10% stake in microchip manufacturer Intel in August 2025. This move followed Trump’s prior critiques of Intel and its CEO. Since the U.S. made this investment on behalf of the nation, the relationship between the company and the administration has reportedly been smooth.
The Intel investment was preceded by the U.S. acquiring a 15% equity stake in MP Minerals. Furthermore, Trump has also secured stakes in U.S. Steel and several quantum technology companies.
Both Altman and Anthropic are reportedly preparing to take their companies public in the near future. This impending public offering is cited by the Financial Times as a significant motivator for Altman to align with the government. In the nascent stages of the AI boom, influencing policy decisions related to artificial intelligence could prove critical for the success or failure of the industry’s leading players.
