OpenAI proposes handing Trump administration 5% stake
OpenAI has proposed giving the Trump administration a 5% stake in the company as part of a broader restructuring plan to transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, seeking to secure government support and navigate regulatory challenges.
Background
- OpenAI has proposed giving the US government a 5% stake in the company as part of a massive infrastructure investment plan (reportedly called "Stargate") to build data centers and AI computing capacity in the US.
- This is a strategic move by Sam Altman's OpenAI to secure political backing and regulatory support from the incoming Trump administration, while also positioning itself as a national champion for American AI — competing with China and fending off rivals like Anthropic and open-source models.
- The proposal comes as OpenAI restructures from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, and as the Trump team signals a friendly posture toward crypto and AI companies (e.g., Paul Atkins, a crypto advocate, was just nominated to lead the SEC).
- The 5% stake would give the US government a direct financial interest in OpenAI's success, blending corporate interest with national industrial policy — unusual for a private tech firm.