Bernie Sanders Backs Trump Plan for Government Stakes in Chipmakers

Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly supported President Donald Trump's initiative to convert federal grants for semiconductor companies into government equity stakes, a rare instance of bipartisan agreement. This policy, linked to the 2022 Chips and Science Act, would require companies like Intel, which received $10.9 billion in grants, to provide the government with ownership stakes in exchange for federal funding. Sanders emphasized that if these profitable chipmakers benefit from public funds, taxpayers deserve a reasonable return on their investment, echoing an amendment he proposed years ago. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been exploring this approach as a means to ensure that federal subsidies not only spur domestic semiconductor production but also provide long-term economic benefits for the U.S. The plan extends beyond Intel to include other major chipmakers such as Micron, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., and Samsung, though some funds remain undistributed. This alignment between Sanders and Trump marks a notable policy shift, reflecting growing concerns about securing supply chains and protecting taxpayer interests.