OpenAI courts Trump administration as its latest investor

OpenAI is in early-stage discussions with the Trump administration about offering the U.S. government a 5% ownership stake in the company, according to sources familiar with the matter. The conversations are described as preliminary and no formal proposal has been submitted.

The 5% stake would give the government a minority ownership position in OpenAI, which is currently structured as a capped-profit entity. The proposal comes as OpenAI seeks to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape and secure long-term operational stability. The Trump administration has not publicly commented on the discussions.

If enacted, the deal would mark the first time a major U.S. AI company has offered the federal government an equity stake. The move could raise questions about oversight and potential conflicts of interest, as the government would both regulate and own a part of the company. No timeline for further discussions has been announced.