The OpenAI CEO is trying to clarify the terms of a proposed 5% equity deal with the Trump administration worth an estimated $42.6 billion
Sam Altman took to CNBC to address what he called “many inaccuracies” surrounding the proposed US government equity stake in OpenAI.
What we know about the deal #
The Financial Times reported that OpenAI proposed giving the US government a 5% equity stake in the company. Based on OpenAI’s post-money valuation of $852 billion following a March 2026 funding round, that slice would be worth approximately $42.6 billion.
The discussions aren’t new, either. Altman first pitched the idea to Trump administration officials back in early 2025, meaning these conversations have been simmering for well over a year.
But the deal comes with strings. The proposal is reportedly conditional on other leading AI companies, including Anthropic, agreeing to similar arrangements.
The political calculus #
Altman has also publicly backed several US government AI policies, including a June 2026 executive order focused on improving model access.
What this means for crypto and tech investors #
There’s also the valuation signal to consider. OpenAI’s $852 billion post-money valuation puts it in the same tier as the largest publicly traded companies on the planet.
The conditional nature of the deal is worth watching closely. If Anthropic and other AI labs agree to similar terms, it creates a cooperative regulatory model that could become a template. If they refuse, OpenAI could find itself in an awkward position: having offered something competitors didn’t, with no clear path to walk it back.
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