OpenAI Reportedly Proposes 5% Stake to Trump Administration

OpenAI has discussed handing the United States government a 5 percent stake in the company, according to a Financial Times report published Thursday, in a move that could reshape how Washington relates to the AI industry it is trying to both promote and police.

What The Proposed Deal Would Look Like

The arrangement described in the report would not be limited to OpenAI alone. Other American AI companies would also be asked to hand over a similar equity stake to the government. The Financial Times report noted it remains unclear whether those other firms would agree to such terms, and no details were given on which companies might be approached or how a stake would be valued or managed.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the report. Neither OpenAI nor the White House responded to requests for comment sent outside normal business hours, leaving the scope and seriousness of the talks unconfirmed.

Why A Government Stake Would Be Unusual

Government equity in a private technology company of OpenAI's size would be a striking departure from how Washington has typically dealt with the sector. Federal involvement in fast growing tech firms has usually come through regulation, antitrust scrutiny or export controls rather than direct ownership. A 5 percent stake would give the government a financial interest in OpenAI's success, raising questions about how that might influence future policy decisions on AI safety, competition and national security.

The Uncertainty Around Other AI Firms

The report's suggestion that other companies might be asked to make similar arrangements adds another layer of ambiguity. It is not known which competitors, if any, have been approached, or whether such a proposal would apply broadly across the industry or only to firms working closely with federal agencies. Without confirmation from OpenAI, the White House, or rival AI companies, the full shape of the plan and its chances of moving forward remain speculative.

Questions That Remain Unanswered

No timeline, valuation method or legal framework has been disclosed for how a government stake would work in practice. It is also unclear whether such a deal would require congressional involvement, given the scale of OpenAI's valuation and the precedent it could set for federal ownership in private technology firms. Reuters' reporting by Abu Sultan in Bengaluru, edited by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, reflects the current state of confirmed information: a report of discussions, not a finalized agreement.