Or... what's going on here, exactly? Do we really want the federal government owning private industry?

https://www.wsj.com/tech/us-stake-intel-1ff24500?st=iaD4UD&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Intel and the Trump administration are discussing the possibility of the U.S. government taking a financial stake in the troubled chip maker, according to people familiar with the matter, in a deal that could advance the president’s America-first manufacturing agenda while relieving political pressure on the company’s beleaguered chief executive.

President Trump discussed the idea—which is still in early stages and could fall apart—during a meeting Monday at the White House with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, according to some of the people.

Details of how such an arrangement would be structured are still being hashed out, the people said. News of the discussions was reported earlier by Bloomberg.

Intel shares ended the day up more than 7% and rose further after hours.

Last week, Trump called for Tan to step down as head of Intel, writing on his Truth Social social-media platform that the CEO was “highly conflicted,” a reference to Tan’s web of investments in Chinese technology companies.

The administration has been seeking ways to increase American market share in semiconductor manufacturing. Officials have described Intel as the domestic company with the best chance of taking on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the dominant player in chip fabrication. Tech companies across the board have been rushing to boost or emphasize their U.S. investments to win favor with Trump and get favorable policies.

“This administration knows how much leverage they have over the tech industry,” said Jim Secreto, former deputy chief of staff in the Commerce Department during the Biden administration.

A deal would be the latest of Trump’s personal interventions in the U.S. private sector. He recently secured a commitment by Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices to pay the government 15% of their sales in China in exchange for export licenses. In Nippon Steel’s takeover of U.S. Steel, he received a “golden share” giving him sway over how the company operates.

It is unusual, but not unprecedented, for the government to consider taking stakes in companies that aren’t in financial distress. In the first Trump administration, Attorney General William Barr suggested the U.S. take stakes in telecom companies that are rivals to China’s Huawei, though the plan didn’t go forward.

Some industry analysts think Intel might eventually need government assistance if Tan and other executives can’t turn around the business.

“Depending on how it’s structured, such a stake could give the U.S. government influence over and insights into Intel’s activities, especially when it comes to China, in a way that regulations or subsidies likely wouldn’t,” said Mira Ricardel, who served as undersecretary of commerce for industry and security in the first Trump administration.

Analysts have said it could be difficult for Intel to increase its U.S. capital spending given its business challenges. The company’s loss widened to $2.9 billion in the second quarter. Government funding alone also wouldn’t address all of Intel’s problems, which investors say include an outdated business model and a product lineup poorly suited to applications in artificial intelligence.

“Intel is deeply committed to supporting President Trump’s efforts to strengthen U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership,” the company said in a statement, adding that it doesn’t comment on rumors.

Before coming into Trump’s crosshairs, Tan was already under fire from Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) for his connections to China through Tan’s venture capital fund, Walden International, and through technology firm Cadence Design Systems, where Tan served as CEO from 2009 until 2021.

In late July, Cadence pleaded guilty to two charges of violating U.S. export restrictions and agreed to pay $140 million in fines. During Tan’s tenure as CEO, Cadence sold software and other technology to China’s National Defense University, a customer banned under U.S. export rules.

Some viewed Trump’s call for Tan to resign as an olive branch to national-security-minded Republicans who were unhappy with recent steps by Trump to allow American companies to sell sensitive technology to China.

Intel has struggled to compete with rivals such as Nvidia, AMD and TSMC on both the design and fabrication of the advanced chips powering the AI boom. The company’s share price has fallen by more than half since the start of last year.

Intel’s board fired previous CEO Pat Gelsinger in late 2024, a sign that directors and investors had lost confidence in his strategy of aggressively expanding the manufacturing side of the business. The board appointed Tan, who previously had served as a director, in March.

Intel was slated to receive about $8 billion from the 2022 Chips and Science Act for a plant in Ohio that has been delayed for several years. The setbacks have drawn condemnation from many lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio), who has called for an investigation into claims the company made to secure the government funding. The Trump administration has been making changes to the chips program and asking companies to increase the size of their investments.

In late July, Intel announced it would lay off 15% of its workforce by the end of this year and further delay the opening of the Ohio plant to beyond 2030.

Or... what's going on here, exactly? Do we really want the federal government owning private industry?

NO

Sounds like it is either the US or Japan who offered 2 billion aid package to the company

The government is too inefficient at everything they have a hand BUT as important as semiconductors are to our national defense it is important that we have the capability to make them in this country. Maybe loans or grants to a company in this country but im not a fan of the federal government owning shares of a for profit business. Seems a good way to embezzle more of our tax dollars.

Like most things, are we getting the whole story?

Ties to China and 8 billion in subsidies from Biden's chip act. I'm guessing Trump wants something for the money instead of a free hand out?



https://www.reuters.com/business/intel-shares-rise-report-possible-us-government-stake-2025-08-15/

https://fortune.com/2025/08/15/intel-trump-white-house-acquisition-stake/

The chinks have been doing it for years, and now they control the production.

I don't want government in control of it!
As far as I can remember , China has been trying to take total control of chips from Taiwan FOR YEARS NOW!
Is Trump making a move to take control of the situation ?
I don't think he wants it run by the government.
The more industry we can take from China, the better our country can compete with China!
Bottom line is more money for us , less money for China.

Sounds like a conflict of interest at the top of Intel is the problem and we sure don't need an "I am from the government and I am here to help." Also sounds like this is a play to get the CEO of Intel replaced with someone who is not connected to the foreign competition.

We certainly need to be able to produce our own chips and not be held hostage by foreign manufacturers but putting the government in charge or with an ownership stake is not the answer IMO.

^^^^^^ good response!

I still haven’t figured out this US Steel - Nippon deal. Supposedly the Trump administration has the final word when decisions are made. Will future presidents also get a vote on the steel makers business?

Aren’t they talking about a 10% stake??

Not sure that would put them “in charge”,,,,

I think those links prove what I was getting at more than whatever you're trying to point out. Sure it would be nice if we got something from the money Biden handed out under the CHIPS act besides Intel's improved babysitting ( https://tcf.org/content/commentary/chips-act-child-care-requirements-already-showing-promise/ ) .... but why would they spend that money on building a manufacturing facility if no one wants to buy their chips?
Intel's flaws are fundamental... building a plant isn't gonna fix them.

Your articles point out even more instances of the government taking a stake in private business, such as the Nippon Steel deal, the rare earth stake, and the 15% of exports to China of NVDA and AMD chips.

Chips ARE being produced in the US. TSMC operates plants in AZ and WA and are in the process of building more. Micron produces chips. And now the federal government is talking about buying up shares in those companies as well. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/com...ources-say/ar-AA1KPfOH?ocid=BingNewsSerp Maybe the U.S. government should just take over the production of semiconductor chips altogether? Maybe they can go beyond just manufacturing to controlling the fabless design as well... I'm sure the government could get rich off NVDA....

Who said anything about being in charge? My objection is the government owning shares of private industry period....

Someone a couple posts above mine

The ship has sailed long before we were alive if govt meddling in private business is the main objection.

Im against government meddling too, but government ownership takes it to a whole other level.

Consider this. If the government has ownership in a company, would they not be more inclined to pass legislation that favors the companies that they own, that may be detrimental to those companies' competitors?

If the government has control....which they do..
Is ownership any different?

How can a gubmint $35 trillion in debt own part of any company?

Intel stock up over 7 percent on this story? The new swamp and their king are likely enriching themselves again by meddling with private industry.

Use your brains, people.

This comes from Trump through his business background not through politics !

No secret has it ever been that the USA is behind in chip building and even plants for doing so, having been beaten to
death by China and Taiwan being the leaders, and now the USA wants to have their own source on their own ground

What better way than to take over a failing business and keep it going or growing for your own needs !

While it's not a good thing in any manner of thought for our government to be involved in owning private business, due to the government running roughshod on its own accord, I can understand wanting a chip company in their back pocket, with people already entrenched in how they work.