OpenAI in Early Talks to Give US Government 5% Stake

Reported talks on a 5% federal stake

OpenAI is in early-stage discussions about giving the US government a 5% stake in the company, according to the Financial Times, as the ChatGPT developer seeks to ease tensions with the administration of President Donald Trump. The Guardian and TIME both reported the story on 2–3 July 2026, citing two unnamed people familiar with the discussions who spoke to the FT.

The FT reported that OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to distribute the benefits of artificial intelligence. Under the proposal, other major US AI companies would also be asked to give a similar 5% equity share to the government, though it is not clear whether firms such as Anthropic, Google and Meta would agree, the FT said.

Structure of the proposal

According to the FT, Altman and other OpenAI executives have suggested that each of the largest US AI developers should allocate 5% of their equity to an investment vehicle similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund, a sovereign fund that invests state oil revenue and pays dividends to residents. The talks were described as “conceptual” and at an early stage, and any final arrangement could require an act of Congress to implement.

TIME reported that an unnamed person familiar with the matter told Axios the proposal is in its very early stages. The White House did not immediately respond to TIME’s request for comment, and OpenAI did not immediately respond when contacted by TIME or The Guardian. Reuters, cited by TIME, reported that the Trump administration and Anthropic have not discussed the government taking a stake in Anthropic.

Why the company is engaging Washington

The proposal comes against a backdrop of growing pressure on US AI companies from Washington. In May 2026, OpenAI said it had restricted the release of its new model, GPT 5.6, at the administration’s request. The company said at the time: “We don’t believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default. It keeps the best tools from users, developers, enterprises, cyber defenders, and global partners who need them.” Earlier in May, Trump signed an executive order establishing a framework for the federal government to assess the national security risks of AI systems for up to 30 days before their release.

Anthropic also disclosed last month that it had suspended its newest model after the government ordered it to curtail access for foreign nationals on national security grounds. The company said this week that it had restored customer access after resolving the government’s safety concerns. Both moves underscore how regulatory demands from Washington are intersecting with product rollouts at frontier AI labs.

Trump’s prior interest and existing federal stakes

The idea of public ownership of AI firms is not new within the administration. TIME quoted Trump as previously saying of US government stakes in AI companies: “There’s something very interesting about it where it almost becomes a partnership with the American public.” The second Trump administration has already taken equity in private technology companies. According to TIME, in August 2025 the government obtained a 10% stake in Intel Corp. after investing $8.9 billion in the chipmaker’s stock. The administration has also taken equity stakes in IBM and other quantum-computing firms.

According to the FT, Altman has been in active talks about public ownership with Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The conversations with administration officials have been ongoing since the start of Trump’s second term and intensified in recent weeks, the FT reported, citing unnamed sources.

Earlier policy papers from OpenAI and Anthropic

Both OpenAI and Anthropic have already published policy papers that touch on the concept of public wealth funds. In April 2026, OpenAI said in a paper that a “public wealth fund” could provide “every citizen — including those not invested in financial markets — with a stake in AI-driven economic growth.” Anthropic, in a paper released last month, said: “We should give every American a direct financial stake in the economy at the moment when AI is fueling growth.” It called for “universal pre-distributive capital accounts,” with “initial priority given” to those affected by AI-related job disruptions.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has also proposed legislation that would give the public a direct ownership stake in major US AI firms through a one-time 50% tax on the companies’ stock, with the proceeds deposited into a sovereign wealth fund. The FT reported that Altman has spoken with Sanders in recent weeks.

Market context and IPO timing

The discussions come as OpenAI and Anthropic prepare to list on the US stock market. Some investors believe the two companies could each be valued at more than $1 trillion (£751bn) when they go public, according to The Guardian. Any equity arrangement that carved out 5% for the federal government would represent tens of billions of dollars in potential holdings based on those valuations, though no terms have been disclosed.

Critics cited by TIME argue that increased federal oversight may slow US technological advancement and give competitors such as China an edge, while supporters contend that public ownership would help distribute the wealth generated by the AI boom more broadly. Americans have flagged concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, cybersecurity and the environmental footprint of data centers, which have come under scrutiny as they consume large amounts of water and energy and contribute to rising living costs.

What to watch next

The proposal’s status remains preliminary. Key signals to watch include any formal statement from OpenAI clarifying or distancing itself from the FT report, public responses from Anthropic, Google and Meta on whether they would participate, and whether members of Congress introduce legislation to enable a sovereign wealth fund structure. Congressional action would likely be required before any equity transfer to the government could take effect, according to the FT’s sources. Trump’s own stance on whether to pursue a formal stake, beyond his past comments, will also be a factor, as will the timing of OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s planned market listings.