OpenAI has reportedly offered the US government a 5% stake in the company in an attempt to ease political pressure in Washington, according to two sources familiar with the initial talks between the company’s CEO Sam Altman and the Trump administration.
It is not yet known whether the Trump administration will accept the offer.
The proposal would require other US artificial intelligence companies to give the government a similar stake. However, it is not yet clear whether rival AI labs will join the initiative.
There is already a precedent for such an agreement. The US government acquired a 9.9% stake in Intel under a deal signed in 2025.
An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies notes that Washington is shifting its policy toward direct ownership in strategically important private companies.
Such a stake could raise additional questions about government procurement processes and oversight mechanisms.
Under US federal regulations, conflicts of interest, or even the appearance of such, must be avoided in relationships between the government and its contractors.
