Bernie Sanders pushes for 50% government stake in AI firms, sparking backlash
Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., proposes legislation for a 50% government ownership stake in major AI firms via a one-time tax. Experts discuss the political backlash against AI, comparing it to Trump's economic policies and potential state socialism.
OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman is considering offering 5% of his company to the U.S. in a deal negotiated with President Donald Trump if his other AI competitors agree to do the same, the Financial Times reported Thursday.
Altman reportedly met with Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about a plan to make OpenAI public to some degree, according to the report.
Altman also met with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who recently proposed broad public ownership of AI companies, suggesting U.S. taxpayers should own up to half of the companies.
Altman reportedly believes that giving the public partial ownership of AI companies is the best way to spread the benefits of the rapidly growing sector to the American people.
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Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Altman, however, would also want to see AI competitors like Meta, Google and Anthropic contribute 5% of their companies to the public in order to commit to giving up a portion of OpenAI.
Anthropic, makers of ChatGPT rival Claude, recently renewed its relationship with the White House and President Trump after being on the outs with the executive branch. The company was recently removed from a Pentagon supply chain risk blacklist and is now working with government officials.
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Altman, according to the report, is seeking with his public gambit to avoid the fate of Anthropic and place himself and OpenAI in Trump's good graces by adding his company to America's growing corporate portfolio.
Altman is allegedly trying to place himself and OpenAI in Trump's good graces. (Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The article cited the microchip manufacturer Intel, which the U.S. bought a 10% stake in in August 2025. The Financial Times cited the purchase and Trump's previous criticism of Intel and its CEO, noting that since Trump made the investment on America's behalf, his relationship has been smooth sailing.
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The Intel purchase followed a purchase of 15% equity in the company MP Minerals, and Trump has since acquired stakes in U.S. Steel and a number of quantum companies.
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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House on April 30, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Both Altman and Anthropic are reportedly moving to take their companies public soon, a factor that the Financial Times also cites as motivation for Altman to link up to the government as, in the early days of the AI boom, helping influence policy decision on AI may be crucial to the success or failure of the industry's biggest players.
Fox News digital contacted OpenAI and the White House for comment.
