President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the federal government's stake in Intel Corp. has yielded more than $30 billion in profits over the past three months, touting the investment as a windfall for American taxpayers. The claim, posted on Truth Social, comes months after his administration authorized a controversial equity stake in the struggling chipmaker last summer.
“I’m very proud of that Company in that I am responsible for making the United States of America over 30 Billion Dollars in the last 90 days on that stock alone,” Trump wrote. “There are others that, likewise, I have been very successful with by taking pieces of the Equity for support.”
The president framed the returns as a victory for the public, adding: “Congratulations to Intel on doing such a great job and, more importantly, congratulations to the People of the United States for making such a good investment!”
How the Deal Was Structured
Last August, Trump announced that Intel had agreed to grant the U.S. government a 10 percent equity stake. The administration redirected funds previously allocated under the Biden-era CHIPS and Science Act, which was designed to bolster domestic semiconductor production. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued the investment would strengthen American chip manufacturing capacity.
According to Intel, the government paid $8.9 billion for 433.3 million shares at $20.47 each. Of that total, $5.7 billion came from CHIPS Act grants, while the remaining $3.2 billion was drawn from a separate program focused on secure chip production. Intel shares closed at $94.75 on Wednesday, representing a significant paper gain.
Intel remains the only U.S.-based company with advanced chip fabrication capabilities, making it a linchpin of national security and economic competitiveness. The investment has drawn sharp partisan reactions, reflecting deeper divides over the government's role in private industry.
Mixed Reactions from Capitol Hill
The deal earned rare praise from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who had long argued that taxpayers deserved a return on federal subsidies. “Taxpayers should not be providing billions of dollars in corporate welfare to large, profitable corporations like Intel without getting anything in return,” Sanders said in a statement. “If microchip companies make a profit from the generous grants they receive from the federal government, the taxpayers of America have a right to a reasonable return on that investment.”
However, several Republicans voiced strong opposition. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called the arrangement a “terrible idea” and a “step toward socialism.” In a social media post, he asked: “If socialism is government owning the means of production, wouldn’t the government owning part of Intel be step toward socialism?”
The debate echoes broader tensions over federal intervention in markets, a theme that has intensified as Trump pushes for more government equity stakes in key industries. Meanwhile, a recent poll found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans actively avoid news about Trump, suggesting the political resonance of such announcements may be limited.
Trump’s latest claim also comes as his administration navigates multiple foreign policy challenges, including pressing Putin for a Ukraine ceasefire while discussing a potential Iran nuclear deal. The Intel investment, however, remains a domestic flashpoint that could shape debates over industrial policy and fiscal responsibility.
