Breaking

Vance Backs Government Stakes in Top AI Firms via Wealth Fund

June 20, 2026 at 18:20 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Funding & M&A

Vice President JD Vance said he supports having the U.S. government acquire equity in major AI companies through a "sovereign wealth fund," adding that President Trump views the idea favorably. The remarks came on Steven Bartlett's podcast "The Diary of a CEO" (recorded June 18, 2026), where Vance referenced a proposal from Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and said, "The president by the way likes that idea too. He likes that idea."

June 18, 2026 · Washington Policy

A $7 Trillion Stake in AI — and an Unlikely Sanders–Trump Overlap

VP JD Vance says Trump backs the idea of a government fund taking equity in firms like OpenAI and Anthropic — favoring "predistribution" over cash handouts, as Sen. Sanders files a bill to put half of major AI firms in public hands.

$7T

Estimated fund size at current valuations

50%

One-time equity tax on covered AI firms

$1,000

Initial annual payout per US citizen

Two routes to the same goal: public stake in AI

Both sides want Americans to own a piece of AI — but the mechanism differs.

Sanders Bill

Direct public ownership

A one-time 50% equity tax places shares directly into a sovereign wealth fund — 5% of value paid out to citizens each year.

Vance / Trump preference

"Predistribution" via a fund

Government acquires equity stakes through a managed fund — ownership and a voice before wealth concentrates, not cash redistribution.

Inside the Sanders bill

Covered firms

AI companies with annual gross receipts of $200M or more

Tax

One-time 50% tax, paid in equity

Payout

5% of fund value paid annually to every US citizen

Management

Independent seven-member board, presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed

Supporters say

A reasonable shift to share AI's concentrated wealth with the public — ownership and a voice before inequality deepens.

Critics warn

It could amount to a partial nationalization of leading AI firms and a turning point for US capitalism — investors wary of hits to OpenAI and Anthropic valuations.

Where it stands

This remains a statement of position by Vance — not enacted policy. The Sanders bill is still at the proposal stage, with feasibility and market impact hinging on future moves in Congress and the administration.

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