President Trump Considers AI Wealth Sharing Plan
President Trump has proposed an unconventional idea: the United States could take a small ownership stake in AI giants, allowing the American public to benefit from the massive wealth generated by these companies. During a conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump described the concept as a 'beautiful thing,' suggesting it would create a partnership between the public and AI innovators.
'There's something very interesting about it, where it almost becomes a partnership with the American public,' Trump told reporters. 'It would make 'em rich.'
The proposal aligns with discussions initiated by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who has advocated for government involvement in AI wealth distribution. This week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) reignited the debate by suggesting a one-time 50% tax on top AI companies, paid in stock, to establish a public ownership stake. Industry leaders, however, favor much smaller stakes, ranging from 1% to 5%.
Trump emphasized the need to maintain America's leadership in AI, particularly against competitors like China. 'We're leading China. We're leading everybody in the world with AI, and we want to keep it that way,' he said.
The conversation underscores broader concerns about AI's public image and the potential economic benefits for American workers. As companies like Anthropic, SpaceX, and OpenAI prepare for stock offerings, the administration is exploring ways to ensure the public shares in the prosperity.