"American version of 'AI dividends for all'? Trump expresses support for the U.S. government holding shares in top AI companies."

Similar to the “citizen dividend” proposal put forward by officials in South Korea’s presidential office, the Trump administration is now planning a nationwide redistribution of AI wealth.

On June 5, according to Bloomberg, during a press conference on Air Force One, Trump said he intends for the federal government to hold equity in top AI developers and will soon discuss cooperation plans directly with executives of the relevant companies.

Trump said:

There are some ideas, like giving a portion (of equity) to the American public, making the American public actual partners in these companies.

He said that initial communication has already taken place with some companies, and he is open to the idea of including AI shares in a government sovereign wealth fund and redistributing returns to the public. Trump emphasized:

This would be a wonderful thing, and it would make them wealthy.

Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders this week also put forward a legislative proposal requiring top AI companies to transfer 50% of their equity to the government, with a sovereign wealth fund used to distribute the AI economy’s dividends to the public.

This statement comes as several AI companies prepare trillion-dollar IPOs, potentially creating a new wave of tech billionaires, drawing heightened attention to policy direction.

Trump: The American public should become “partners” in AI companies

Currently, it is unclear how the U.S. government will acquire AI company equity and what portion will be involved.

Since Trump’s return to the White House, the government has invested in nearly ten companies, several of which are involved in key minerals, and has promised to hold up to 10% of shares in chipmaker Intel.

According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had proposed the concept of government holding shares in AI companies to the Trump administration as early as early 2025.

This proposal aligns with OpenAI’s subsequent suggestions, including multiple AI companies jointly donating shares to launch a wealth fund.

In April this year, OpenAI issued a public proposal calling for the creation of a “public wealth fund” so that “the public can directly share in the gains brought by AI growth,” urging policymakers and industry to collaborate in making plans.

Sanders Proposal: Transfer 50% Equity, Uphill Battle Ahead

Sanders’ legislative proposal brought the discussion to a peak.

The independent Senator from Vermont earlier this week introduced the “American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act,” requiring top AI companies to transfer 50% of their equity to the government, with the shares deposited into a sovereign wealth fund for redistribution to the public.

In a New York Times op-ed, Sanders wrote:

Because AI is built on collective human knowledge, the wealth it generates must benefit all humanity.

On Wednesday, Sanders met Altman on Capitol Hill. The two discussed AI regulation and the political role of tech funding in this election cycle.

However, prospects for the bill in Congress are not optimistic. Republicans are skeptical, and in a Congress with imbalanced party power, the bill faces significant resistance.

According to reports, Altman also met with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and unnamed White House officials during his visit to Washington this week.

OpenAI stated that the visit aimed to promote a public-private cooperation framework, but did not provide specifics on whether the public interest fund was discussed.

Opposition: Beware “nationalization” risks of government involvement in AI

Not everyone welcomes government equity in AI companies.

Trump ally, former White House AI chief, and venture capitalist David Sacks wrote on X, clearly opposing such measures.

He warned that nationalizing AI would accelerate government-corporate fusion, and if the U.S. government intervenes further in AI development and acquires direct ownership, the nation risks establishing a comprehensive social credit surveillance system.

Sacks’ warning reflects broader policy contradictions. On one hand is political pressure to distribute AI dividends, while on the other is Silicon Valley’s ongoing wariness toward deep government involvement in cutting-edge technology.

Global Resonance: Anxiety over AI Wealth Distribution Spreads

Concerns over unequal distribution of AI gains are not limited to the U.S.

Wallstreetcn reports that in South Korea, as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix’s market caps surge to trillion-dollar levels, Kim Yong-beom, head of policy in the president’s office, posted on social media proposing consideration of a so-called “citizen dividend,” sourced from excessive profits generated by the AI industry.

Kim Yong-beom wrote:

Korea now faces a rare historical opportunity—not only to become a supplier of AI infrastructure, but also to be the first country where excessive profits from the AI era are returned to improve people’s lives.

Within the U.S., the rapid expansion of AI data centers has driven up residential electricity prices, and widespread application of technology has put employment prospects in finance, technology, and other sectors under pressure.

These real-world anxieties are turning into political demands from voters, accelerating the push for Washington to make AI wealth redistribution a policy priority.

Risk Disclosure and DisclaimerThe market involves risks; investors should exercise caution. This article does not constitute individual investment advice and does not take into account specific investment goals, financial circumstances, or needs of particular users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their own situations. Investing based on this article is at your own risk.