In an unexpected political convergence, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of the U.S. government taking direct equity stakes in AI giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. This move echoes a proposal by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who recently advocated for a public stake in AI companies to ensure that the economic benefits of AI are shared more broadly.
MAGA Base Voices Concerns
Trump's proposal comes amid growing unease within his own MAGA base about the rapid advancement of AI technology. Steve Bannon’s War Room has been vocal in criticizing AI companies for issues ranging from copyright theft to job displacement. Republican lawmakers have also introduced legislation aimed at curbing AI-related job losses, though these efforts have been repeatedly rebuffed by the White House.
"You make them a partnership in this revolution," Trump told reporters. "It would be a beautiful thing."
Industry Calls for Safeguards
AI companies themselves have issued warnings about the potential dangers of unchecked AI development. Anthropic recently cautioned that its systems could soon become capable of self-improvement without human oversight. In response, Trump issued an executive order requesting—but not mandating—that AI companies voluntarily submit advanced models for a 30-day government review before public release.
Sanders Seizes the Moment
Sen. Sanders’ American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act proposes a one-time 50% equity tax on the stock of the largest AI firms, payable in shares. The proceeds would go into a public fund granting ordinary Americans voting rights, corporate board representation, and financial dividends from AI’s gains.
Trump’s openness to government ownership in the AI industry reflects a broader trend of economic nationalism, aligning with his administration's history of nationalizing sections of the economy. This proposal, however, has sparked debates about the balance between safeguarding American workers and maintaining a competitive edge in the global AI race.