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Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Sam Altman are all talking about public ownership in AI

Trump said Americans could benefit from AI’s success and that he would discuss the idea with AI-company executives.

Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Sam Altman are all talking about public ownership in AI
Image · WDIV

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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Jun 6, 2026
tl;dr

Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed giving the public a 50% ownership stake in AI companies, and President Donald Trump said he was open to a partnership that lets Americans benefit from AI’s growth. Their comments come amid broader debate over AI regulation and the effects of data centers.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President discussing a possible public partnership in AI

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator proposing public ownership in AI companies

Sanders's version of this story ↗

New York Democratic House candidate making AI regulation a campaign issue

Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator describing grassroots opposition to data centers

Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Missouri senator calling for restrictions on data-center development

Rashida Tlaib
D · MI-12

Michigan representative criticizing the data-center project and Whitmer’s appearance

ALSO MENTIONED  Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor who appeared with Altman at a data-center site and defended the project; Michael Kratsios, White House chief science and technology adviser; Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO who discussed public equity in AI with Sanders

Part of a bigger story

13 OUTLETS
Trump Voices Interest in Public Partnership on AI

Reports say Bernie Sanders proposed a 50% public stake in AI companies, Sam Altman supported public equity in principle but not that threshold, and Donald Trump expressed interest in a public partnership that could let people benefit from AI’s success. Center outlets present the positions as shared interest in public participation, while some widen the story to AI’s costs, oversight, and community effects.

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